How Do You Direct? A Reflection for Alexander Technique Teachers

Back in one of the Alexander Congresses in the ’90s, I bumped into an experienced teacher named Hezy, who had a school in Japan. His work was exceptional, and when I asked him, "How do you direct?" he said he visualized a giant on top of a giant on top of a giant, infinitely out into space. As a young teacher then, I thought, "Wow, everyone must direct differently."

Since then, in many workshops I've run, I've asked other teachers the same question, and indeed, every person directs differently.

Some visualize straight lines from one part of the body to another. Some think in spirals. Some people can’t visualize at all and rely on proprioception or a felt sense of spatial awareness. In other words, how we direct can look and feel vastly different for each of us, even if the intention is similar.

So, I’d love to open this up into a discussion: How does the way you direct influence your teaching or your own practice? Think about how you personally direct—whether through images, lines, or just a sense of movement. There’s no single right way. Feel free to share your thoughts and let’s explore how these different approaches might enrich our work together.