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Alexander Technique teacher
Hours
Variable
Starting salary
Variable
These teachers show people how to improve their posture. This is to help with their general health, physical fitness and wellbeing. If you are interested in posture and movement, and you want a career helping people, this job could be ideal for you.
To become this type of teacher, you will need to have good physical skills and fitness levels. You will need to be able to relate well to different types of clients. You’ll need to be a 'people person' too.
Although there are no set academic entry requirements you will usually need practical knowledge and understanding of the technique. This is usually gained through individual lessons with a qualified practitioner. Many people become interested in this area of work after personally benefiting from the therapy.
WorkDesc
The work
As an Alexander Technique teacher, you would generally work with clients on a one-to-one basis. The technique would involve:
- gently using your hands to encourage clients to let go of tensions that they are creating in their body
- explaining how the technique relates to the client's condition
- helping clients understand how and why they are not using their body efficiently
- teaching clients how to incorporate the technique into their everyday life.
You could work with clients who want to learn the technique for personal development, as well as those who want to deal with a range of issues, including:
- muscle tension, back, neck or shoulder pain
- posture or balance problems
- poor self-confidence or high stress levels
- breathing or voice problems.
Your clients may also include:
- music and drama students who need to improve their vocal technique or posture
- people involved in different sports activities who want to maximise their efforts and improve their flexibility and timing
- pregnant women who need help coping with the physical changes during pregnancy.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually be based in a health clinic or therapy centre. You could also visit clients in their own home, or work outdoors, for example at sporting events.
You will have a table for clients to lie on, which you would take with you between centres and clients.
IncomeDesc
Income
Many Alexander Technique practitioners charge between £20 and £40 per session. Sessions usually take around 30 minutes.
Practitioners are usually self-employed, and earnings can vary considerably.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), the Professional Association of Alexander Teachers (PAAT), and the Interactive Teaching Method (ITM) provide details of training opportunities at introductory/foundation and practitioner level. See the following websites and the Training and Development section below for more details.
Although there are no set academic entry requirements for STAT, PAAT or ITM approved practitioner-level courses, you will usually need practical knowledge and understanding of the technique gained through individual lessons with a qualified practitioner. Many people become interested in this area of work after personally benefiting from the therapy.
It could help you if you have a good general secondary education. An understanding of subjects like biology, anatomy and physiology would be particularly useful. Previous experience or qualifications in counselling, health and social care, or a career related to medicine, could also be good preparation for this work.
Voluntary Self-Regulation
Organisations from a variety of complementary therapies, including the Alexander Technique, have created a single (voluntary) regulatory body known as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
The aim of the CNHC is to protect the public by registering practitioners, setting standards for safe practice and managing complaints. The register is open to Alexander Technique teachers. You can apply to join through your professional body or directly through the CNHC website.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Courses run through The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), the Professional Association of Alexander Teachers (PAAT), and the Interactive Teaching Method (ITM), as well as other approved training programmes include:
- subjects such as anatomy, physiology, psychology and the science of movement
- supervised practical work.
Courses take between three and four years to complete. See the STAT, PAAT and ITM websites for further details, including a list of course providers:
Once you have completed your training, you can register as a practising member with STAT or PAAT. Being a member will also give you access to continuing professional development opportunities.
You may also benefit professionally and develop global networking opportunities by joining Alexander Technique International (ATI).
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become an Alexander Technique teacher, you will need to have:
- good physical manipulation skills and manual dexterity
- reasonable fitness levels
- an awareness of when to refer a client to a conventional medical practitioner
- the ability to empathise with clients
- emotional stability
- a mature and sensible attitude to work
- a genuine desire to help people
- good communication skills
- a logical approach to solving problems.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) 
1st Floor, Linton House
39-51 Highgate Road
London
NW5 1RS
Tel: 020 7482 5135
www.stat.org.uk
Professional Association of Alexander Teachers (PAAT)
Room 706
The Big Peg
120 Vyse Street
Birmingham
B18 6NF
Tel: 01746 761 024
www.paat.org.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Teaching the Alexander Technique is a growing profession, and around 2500 practitioners are currently registered with the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.
You are likely to find most opportunities as a self-employed practitioner, for example working from home. You may also find work alongside other practitioners of complementary medicine in a natural health clinic. To do well, you will need to be prepared to work long and flexible hours at first to build up your list of clients and establish your reputation.
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
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