Greetings from Shelter Island, NY

I hope this finds you very well and enjoying the last weeks of glorious summertime. 

I've had a lovely, full summer. After finishing up the school year teaching at the William Esper Acting Studio, in mid-June I taught a workshop on the Greek island of Folegandros. Inspiration in the Aegean integrated elements from Alexander Technique, movement improvisation, and ancient Greek art and mythology – and it was a blast!  It was a beautiful group of students from three continents, and spanning six decades – and we had an absolutely ecstatic time. Thus, I'm considering repeating this workshop in June of 2018. Updates on this soon.

Back in NYC in late June and July, I enjoyed working with students from around the world in the Summer Intensive Program at the Esper Studio and with private students in town.

Now, I’m loving having some relaxing, rejuvenating open days out on beautiful Shelter Island… and… HERE COMES THE FALL SEASON!

PRIVATE ALEXANDER LESSONS IN NYC THIS FALL:   

• My private lessons season begins the week of Sept 11th. That week, I'll be teaching on Sept 12th, 13th, and 14th (Tuesday-Thursday). 

• Following that week, my private teaching days will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and some Fridays.  

• If you wish to begin or resume lessons, please be in touch soon.

• I offer discounted rates for a prepaid series of lessons. I also offer a limited number of artist discounts each week. Please contact me directly for more information. 

The ability to be very alert and also calm and present at the same time is a vital ingredient in a creative, responsive life. The Alexander work continues to inspire me as a means towards this state of being and readiness. 

If you have been considering taking lessons, or have friends that have been curious about studying Alexander – this is a good time to get started or to refer them! I look forward to meeting new students in the fall as well as welcoming back ongoing or former students.  

all my best and hope to see you this season in NYC,

Judith

Some workshop participants frolic in the gorgeous Aegean Sea.

Inspiration in the Aegean 2017 Reflections

The 2017 workshop on Folegandros has come and gone. It was a beautiful, fulfilling experience and I'm still in a lilting state of gratitude.

I could not have wished for or dreamed up a more inquisitive, creative, thoughtful, spirited and willing group of students. All artists of varying mediums, with ages ranging from early 20's to late 70's and from far flung parts of the globe including Europe, South Africa, and both coasts and points in-between of the USA – we were an ecstatic and harmonious group. It was also quite wonderful to have two Greek members of the class.  

I am ruminating now about the whole experience, as well as collecting photos and recollections from participants, and will post more soon. For now, I'll happily say it seems that the experiment worked, and we entered into a marvelous richness. I began personally with a months-long (continuation of life-long), deep delving into images and literature from ancient Greece. I pondered relationships between ancient stories and images, archetypes, poetry, human embodiment, Alexander Technique principles, environment (and oh my, what a glorious environment we had on Folegandros, and in our beautiful classroom, graciously donated to us by the town and people of Folegandros). I considered how to convey and manifest these relationships in human interaction, environmental awareness, and daily life and creative movement explorations. The ancient stories and images connect to nature so magnificently and specifically. Thus, time spent outside the classroom on the island was an inspiring continuation of our work. And, we all just went there together... it was a joy. Thank you, thank you, to all the participants. 

A very important mentor and friend in my life, Paulus Berensohn (whom I met initially while teaching at the Penland School of Crafts) passed away just a couple of days before the workshop began. I knew Paulus was on his way for some time before that. In my heart and spirit I dedicated the workshop to Paulus and his lifetime work as an artist and Deep Ecologist. And, to his belief that we are all meant to behave artistically. Yes, we are. You blessed me, Paulus, by your presence on this planet. I shall continue attempting to spread the word. 

I've had inquiries about whether I will teach this workshop again in 2018 or 2019. I'm considering it. If you are interested in future Greece workshops, let me know. And/or check back to my website! No doubt I'll always feel compelled to return to Greece – for as long as this body can carry me there. And there is great joy in sharing it with others.

Happy summer.