Alexander Technique

Interview with Mr.Ted McNamara

Ted McNamara was born and raised in the rich traditions of rural Ireland. He was formally educated in arts and education at the national universities of Ireland and Australia.

Ted began his study of the Alexander Technique with Patrick MacDonald in winter 1981. Recognizing almost immediately that he had found his vocation and his teacher, he joined the school at 50A Belgrave Road, Victoria, London, shortly thereafter.Later that same year, he began studying privately with Miss Margaret Goldie. His bi-monthly lessons with her would continue for 16 years until her death in 1997. Ted graduated from Mr MacDonald's training in 1984. For the rest of MacDonald's life, Ted remained in close contact with him, taking weekly lessons and practicing in the training class.

Around the time of his graduation, Ted began practicing Tai Chi under the direction of Miss Rose Li. This study allowed him to further explore the internal dynamic opposition taught by Mr MacDonald and to apply the principles of the Alexander work in movement, in a form amenable to the Technique. His experience of practicing and teaching the martial arts continues to inform his Alexander practice. Also at this time, he became an assistant at Bill and Marjory Barlow's Alexander Institute in south-west London, and remained as a teacher there for six years. In 1989, with a firm grounding in the Technique as taught by Mr MacDonald and Miss Goldie, Ted began regular studies with Walter Carrington. Their lessons together continued for sixteen years. He counts the influence of these very special teachers as guiding in his life and integral to his work, having had over 1,100 private lessons among the three.

In addition to his private practice in London, Ted has assisted on several training courses over the years. For the last twelve years he has taught the Technique to the musicians at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and he has worked extensively throughout Europe and the world.In 1994, he began a close association with the Balanssi Dance Studio in Helsinki, Finland, and maintains a regular teaching practice with the students and teachers there throughout the year, giving movement workshops and private lessons.

- Do you mind telling us about the process of starting Alexander Technique?

T: I had felt for some time that something was missing in my life. At the age of thirty-one I was passing through London and by some chance I went for an Alexander lesson. I was so impressed by the quality of my first teacher, Mr Patrick MacDonald, that I decided to remain in London and have private lessons with him. After several months I realised that I had gained great benefit so I decided to train as a teacher under his direction.

- What did you do before starting Alexander Technique?

T: I had studied at university in Dublin, Ireland and Canberra, Australia. I’d had various occupations: primary and secondary school and special needs teacher, farmer, parliamentary writer with the Australian federal government.I'd long had an interest in alternative methods of medicine and education and studied different methods. Since childhood I was interested in dance and movement. After I left Ireland I’d lived in Australia for many years and in America for about a year.

- Did you study Alexander Technique at school? If so, How long and where did you study? Who was your teacher?

T: I began training in April 1981 with Patrick MacDonald and qualified as a teacher in 1984.Patrick MacDonald was the son of successful medical doctor who himself had had lessons with the originator of the Technique, FM Alexander. Dr MacDonald sent his son at age 10 to have lessons with Alexander, and Patrick went on to train in FM Alexander’s first training course for teachers in the early 1930's. The essence of Mr MacDonald's work was very near to that of Tai Chi or Aikido.While my main Alexander Technique teacher was Patrick MacDonald, my work is influenced by many years of lessons with Miss Margaret Goldie and Mr Walter Carrington.I also worked at the Alexander Institute under the guidance of Dr. Wilfred Barlow and his wife Marjory in the 1980's. I continued to study weekly under my teachers until the last of them died in 2005.

- As a teacher, what kind of pupils do you teach mainly? Are they teachers of The Alexander Technique?

T: I work a good deal with teachers of the Alexander Technique, but I also work with people from all kinds of backgrounds. I have taught diplomats, politicians, doctors, lawyers, engineers, actors, farmers, and I enjoy working with anyone who has a sincere interest in the Technique. For over 15 years I have taught at a music and drama school, and I have also worked closely for a long time with dancers of different traditions.

- What is the most important thing when you do The Alexander Technique?

T: The most important thing I do is to try to listen to what the pupil needs, rather than impose something. In order to be able to teach well, the teacher must be very aware of what is happening in himself: this is the essence of teaching Alexander Technique.

- What are you thinking about the future of The Alexander Technique?

T: I have hope for it if it is properly taught. However the modern world is obsessed with quantity rather than quality. We are too driven by the need for instant results and easily satisfied with the illusion of progress and development.

- How about your own career? Would you mind telling us if you have got any future goals you wish to achieve?

T: It depends on what you mean by ''career''. I do have an aim, which is in part to live quietly, and to the best of my ability to pass on what I received through my teachers.

As long as the people who come to me for lessons are truly interested in change, my work is always interesting and satisfying.

Website : http://www.placelore.eu/

Written by Tomoko Hayakawa