Collection/Volume:
Vol./ Issue:
Vol. 10, No. 6
Material Type:
Research - other
Year:
2014
Month:
Dec
Day:
31
External Links:
Notes:
This exercise in qualitative research involved 8 participants attending four two-hour group introductory sessions in the Alexander Technique. The participants were interviewed after each session via a focus group.
The process of analysis of the 40,000+ words of the focus group sessions is described as follows:
Analysis
The time for focus group was between 69 min and the focus groups were recorded through both audio and video devices. The recorded files were transcribed in verbatim, and the total words were 40.246 in Korean. For analyzing data, Patton’s (2002) thematic content analysis was used. First step was reading and re-reading the original transcriptions to understand interviewee’s story. The second step was breaking down the raw data into meaning unit so that it could possible to develop the initial classification system by identifying, defining, labeling, and classifying the data. The third step was developing systematic classification by uniting the lower order themes. From this process, “essence phrase” is maintaining. The fourth step was developing a process-outcome matrix across the three higher order themes and interpreting and categorizing raw data into themes.
The discussion at the end of the article describes a match between classic descriptions of the Alexander Technique and the experiences of the participants. It does seem to extend a long way beyond the scope of the actual research into a restatement of some key themes of Alexander's writings.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study was to configure and apply the Alexander technique training program and assess the effect of program through physical, emotional and behavioral aspects. A qualitative research method had been conducted, subjecting 8 people, who were participating in Alexander technique training program to achieve this study.Firstly, participants had developed body awareness and body consciousness through lived body experience. Result showed similarities with Galvao and Kemp (2005)’s[1] study. He declared that musicians experienced through their own bodily practice under the guidance of an Alexander technique teacher. Result represented that uncontrollable habits could modified by ‘conscious control’ with lived bodily experience. Also Alexander technique helped participant to gain kinaesthesia: sensory awareness and conscious control of the whole movement.Secondly, current study supported Alexander technique was the educational training program that provided people with support to integrate the functions of mind and body. In modern society, body and mind had been divided into two categories. The more human and civilized mankind becomes, the less there was some behavior which was purely physical and some other which is purely mental. Physical and metal separation resulted out psychophysical imbalance. In this study, people experienced psycho and physical’s equilibrium from Alexander technique education.Thirdly, this study showed how people transformed Alexander technique concept into the one’s lifespan. According to Barlow (1991) when students of Alexander technique built up a conscious attention, they changed from passive recipient to active participant of the life. Similarly, current study subjects realized how they used their body within the daily ordinary behavior. From conscious attention to daily normal movement, they changed not only the manner of use of body but also the attitude to the life. From the Alexander technique training program, one could maintain third-person perspective through body awareness and body consciousness, to develop physically as well as emotional....References:[1] Galvao A, Kemp A. Kinaesthesia and instrumental music instruction: some implications. Psychol Music. 2005;27:129–137.[2] Barlow W. The Alexander Technique: How to use your body without stress. New York: Warner Books; 1991.
DOI/ISSN:
http://dx.doi.org/10.12965/jer.140177
Tags
Knowledge domain:
AT-specific:
Intervention/discipline:
Psychology: