Diana Devitt-Dawson RN/Midf., M. STAT (London), M. AUSTAT, M. ASPAH, M. AIMA.

Diana was born in Tasmania, she is a health care professional who studied Emergency nursing and midwifery in Australia. In 1984 Diana travelled to London to undertake the three year, 1600 hour Alexander Teacher Training Course. She is a second generation teacher with over 29 years continuous teaching experience. In 2008 Diana undertook an intensive training, for health professionals, in MBSR, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn, University of Mass. Medical School, in New York.

Diana studied with Mr Patrick Macdodnald, M.A. (CANAB) who was trained by F.M. Alexander, and his assistant Shoshana Kaminitz and graduated as a teacher in 1984. Post graduation Diana joined the staff at the Alexander Institute, in central London under the directorship of Wilfred Barlow MD, (Consultant Rheumatologist) and his wife Marjory Barlow (Alexander's niece) where she began teaching. Both Dr. Barlow and Marjory also conducted a teacher training school. While in London Diana continued post-graduate studies with the Barlows, other first generation teachers including, Margaret Goldie, Elizabeth Walker and once back in Australia in 1988 with Erika Whittaker in Melbourne.

In 1990 Diana returned to London for further studies where she also assisted Mr. Patrick Macdonald on his last teacher training school (before his death in 1991) in Lewes, Sussex. Diana returned to Melbourne in late 1990.

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

Professional Development - National and International

Diana conducts CPD training and Alexander workshops in Australia, London and New York.

In 2004 she presented at the 7th International Congress for Alexander teachers in Oxford, England.
In 2007 at ACAT, the American Centre for the Alexander Technique in New York.
In 2008 in New York, MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) intensive with Prof. Joh Kabat-Zinn. See www.umassmed.edu/cfm
Since 2008 Diana has presented at the Australian Institute of Music - workshops for music theatre students.
In 2009 presented at the AUSTAT Conference in Wynyard, Tasmania.
In 2011 PD workshops for teachers in the performing arts at Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College, Burwood, Sydney.
In 2011 in London, STAT hosted CPD training. In New York workshops for teachers and a day teaching at Bard College Conservatory of Music, NY.
In 2012 Diana presented at HITE Integrated Healthcare and Education, Harley Street, London and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK.