Alexander Institute Teacher Training School
& Private Practice
Sydney, Australia

Sydney Opera House

Home
What is it?
Who Benefits?
Alexander Lessons
Who was F.M. Alexander?
Voice & Performance
Recommended Reading
Links
Teacher Training
Director
Course Outline
Voice Work
Pregnancy & AT
Lessons & Workshops
Post Graduate Training
Contact Us
Nili Bassan Workshop
Corner

Director of Training



Diana Devitt-Dawson A.T. R.N./Midf. M. RCN, M. AUSTAT, M. STAT (London), BAPAM (U.K.) M. ASPAH
Diana Devitt-Dawson
Diana Devitt-Dawson


Diana Devitt-Dawson RN/Midf.A.T. was born in Tasmania.  Diana is Director of Training and a 2nd generation teacher of the F. M. Alexander Technique with 25 years teaching experience. Diana completed post-graduate studies overseas in Orthopaedic's at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London.  Acute care and Stress & Pain Management at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada and Midwifery back in Sydney at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (King George V).

In London in 1981 Diana undertook the three year, 1,600 hour Alexander Teacher Training Course with Director of Training, Mr. Patrick Macdonald MA. (CANAB.) and his assistant Shoshana Kaminitz.  Diana graduated as a teacher in 1984.  After graduation Diana joined the Alexander Institute in Central London under the Directorship of Dr. Wilfred Barlow M.D. (Consultant Rheumatologist) and Marjorie Barlow (Alexander's niece). Wilfred Barlow studied with Mr. F.M. Alexander himself, while completing his medical training. Dr. Barlow is the author of the world famous book, The Alexander Principle and also More Talks of Alexander.  Marjorie Barlow is author of An Examined Life, (see Recommended Reading).

While teaching in London and doing further studies with Dr. Barlow at the Alexander Institute Diana saw at first hand the practical value and benefits of Alexander lessons for the vast majority of patients who came to the Alexander Institute for specialist lessons.  These included, people with back pain, neck and shoulder and or postural pain; performers with functional disorders especially instrumentalists and singers; stress and or performance anxiety; dancers and or office workers.  Diana was also witness to members of the Royal Family who came to the Institute for Alexander lessons.

Diana continued with post-graduate lessons with many of the 1st generation teachers including, Dr. Barlow and Marjorie Barlow, Margaret Goldie, Elizabeth Walker and Patrick Macdonald.  These teachers and the teachings of Erika Whittaker in Melbourne have greatly enhanced Diana's understanding and teaching of this unique method of self-work for on-going change and freedom from habit.

In 1996 Diana moved to Sydney with her husband Geoff Dawson (psychologist).  In that same year and with assistance from an Orthopaedic specialist, Diana set a private practice in British Medical Association House, Macquarie Street, Sydney.  In 2002 Diana became a Director of Training at the Alexander Technique Institute Teacher/Practitioner Training School in North Sydney where she also has a private practice.

Special Interests:-
  • Educating health professionals, the general public and performing artists about the Alexander Re-education process.  That it is not, 'a movement re-education', 'body work', 'a relaxation technique' or a 'new age' therapy.
  • Preventative & Rehabilitative healthcare with Alexander lessons.
  • Mind/Body integration.
  • Psychophysical and Behavioural change.
  • Stress & Pain management with Alexander lessons.
  • Performance Anxiety management with Alexander lessons.
  • Natural Birth classes. (see Pregnancy).
  • Learning to play the Harp.
  • Performing Arts Healthcare (see ASPAH The Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare)


Teaching 'Style'
Diana's teaching 'style' has been influenced by the 1st generation teachers with whom she has worked. It is a teaching that "sticks to principle."  Diana is dedicated to 'preserving F.M. Alexander's teaching in its authentic form.'  Therefore, no other disciplines, exercises or 'new age' programs are incorporated within the teacher training curriculum.  By this, there is less chance for confusion and trainees can fully experience Alexander's unique means whereby methodology and so deepen their understanding of the work at hand, along with gaining the benefits of the application work. (see Course Outline).

Skilled Use of Hands
The Alexander Teachers' hands-on work (balancing the head, neck and back relationship while giving direction) is highly skilled and develops as the trainee learns to self-work.  As the Director of Training, Diana instructs and guides each trainee in this specialized area.  Verbal skills are also cultivated in order to clarify Alexander's teaching to the general public.  It also ensures trainee competence preparation for graduation and setting up a private practice.

In 2004 Diana presented at the 7th International Congress for the F.M. Alexander Technique in Oxford, England.  Diana's paper entitled, 'Talking' Hands - From the Conceptual into Reality is published in the 2004 Oxford Congress papers.
Available from:- office@stat.org.uk.

In November 2007, Diana presented at ACAT (The American Centre for Alexander Technique) in New York where she taught on the Training Course Program, gave lectures, workshops and conducted private lessons.

In July 2008 Diana returned to NY and also Vancouver, Canada to conduct further Alexander teaching. While in New York Diana undertook an MBSR Intensive (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Professional Training) with Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. and S. Santorelli, Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.

For further information and scientific papers from:-
The Centre For Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society,
see www.umassmed.edu/cfm

Harp