Extending understanding of ‘care’ as an embodied phenomenon: Alexander Technique teacher perspectives on restoring carers to themselves

Woods, Charlotte; Wolverson, Emma; Glover, Lesley

Abstract

Data from an international survey of teachers of the Alexander Technique – an embodied form of self-care – illustrate their perspectives on how the Alexander Technique supports caring by combatting carer self-loss. Understanding of care as an embodied phenomenon is furthered by describing: (1) specific embodied habits that seem highly pertinent to care of self and others; and (2) how they might be (re)acquired in learning the Alexander Technique. In offering both practical and philosophical ways in which the Alexander Technique differs from alternatives, the article invites fresh thinking about theory and practice in supporting care, and argues that research on the Alexander Technique in the context of caring is warranted.

Citation

Woods, C., Wolverson, E., & Glover, L. (2023). Extending understanding of ‘care’ as an embodied phenomenon: Alexander Technique teacher perspectives on restoring carers to themselves. International Journal of Care and Caring, 7(3), 527-543. https://doi.org/10.1332/239788221X16643644394404

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 23, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 26, 2022
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 5, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 27, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Care and Caring
• Print ISSN: 2397-8821
• Electronic ISSN: 2397-883X
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 527-543
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/239788221X16643644394404
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4067258