Alexander Alliance Europe

Join us, the Alexander Alliance International, in celebrating our 40th birthday in Kalamata, Greece!

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If you have ever been, currently are being, or would like to be deeply touched by the work we do within our international community/school, we invite you to join us for this extraordinary event. 

Anyone who studies, or has studied the Alexander Technique, is welcome to attend: all Alexander teachers and trainees worldwide, all Alexander Alliance trainees and alumni, including alumni from our early incarnations; the Alexander School and the Alexander Foundation. Also, all teachers from our post graduate programs and from our professional development programs. Finally, all people who love and study the Alexander Technique.

Senior teachers from the Alexander Alliance International, Robyn Avalon, Midori Shinkai, Margarete Tueshaus, and Bruce Fertman will be teaching. Learn more about our senior teachers. We are planning to invite other renowned Alexander teachers and will keep you informed of our progress. 

We will be on Mediterranean time. Though our teaching schedule will be quite full, we will make sure to have time each afternoon for walks inside the town, or for swimming in the sea. 

A native Alexander teacher writes:

"Kalamata, as I'm sure you already know, is well known for its olive trees and the unique olive oil it produces. The local food is to die for. The hotel is a 10min drive from the main town. The sea in Kalamata boasts of some of the clearest waters in the country - you will see for yourself once you swim well away from the beach at approximately 1 mile inside where one can experience the awe of being in the middle of nowhere. It's magical. A great advantage is that Kalamata is not your average touristy location - more of a preferred site for locals. It is likely to be exactly what you need for a peaceful retreat. I would highly recommend experiencing local olive oil poured on to freshly baked local bread ... the purest form of the local natural flavours. Meat and fish for non-vegeterians will be an experience they will never forget. Likewise, the tomatoes, olives, cucumbers and green peppers will also be a flavour that vegans and vegeterians will cherish for the rest of their lives. The local deserts are very dense jams of local fruits and vegetables (there's the famous aubergine jam!). Herbal teas are unique in Kalamata, with some protagonists being marjoram, sage, camomile and sideritis (known as mountain tea). For coffee lovers, Greece is a paradise."

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Not only will we be in Kalamata, we will be living and dining by the sea at a four-star hotel: The Filoxenia Kalamata. We are providing a PDF (click here) so that you can hold on to all the details about where we will be. Being a family friendly school, students do on occasion bring along family members. If you should decide to do this, let us know and we will help you work out your accommodations.  

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Now, to return to the content of our Alexander Retreat!

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As we will be a gathering of people with different levels of experience, there will be separate classes for students, trainees, and teachers, so that everyone can work and progress at their own level. At chosen times, we will all convene and work together.

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Here's the schedule.

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Saturday / October 10th

Travel and Arrival Day

Our first short gathering will begin at 21:00.

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Sunday, Monday, Tuesday / October 11th, 12th, 13th

Optional Morning Classes: To Be Announced

Morning Classes: 9:30-13:30

Afternoon Break 13:30 - 17:00

Late Afternoon Classes 17:00-20:00

Dinner: 20:00-21:30

Evening Events: To Be Announced

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Wednesday / October 14th

On Wednesday, we will only have morning classes so that those who wish can take off the entire afternoon and evening to further explore the outskirts of Kalamata. Space will be provided for those who wish to stay at the retreat center and study together informally. 

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Thursday, Friday, Saturday / October 15th, 16th, 17th

Back to work.

Optional Morning Classes: To Be Announced

Morning Classes: 9:30-13:30

Afternoon Break 13:30 - 17:00

Late Afternoon Classes 17:00-20:00

Dinner: 20:00-21:30

Evening Events: To Be Announced

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Sunday / October 18th

Travel and Departure Day

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How much will it cost?

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We have done our best to keep our pricing reasonable. We got a remarkable group deal with the hotel, which is why we could hold this retreat in such a luxurious place. Here are the prices, which includes three meals per day. Please be aware that drinks are not included.

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Triple room: EUR 53,33 + EUR 1,0 room tax per person per night (limited number)

Double room: EUR 67,50 + EUR 1,5 room tax per person per night

Single room: EUR 110,00 + EUR 3,0 room tax per person per night

Family room: Price upon request​

The entire booking will be made by the Alexander Alliance Germany. We had to commit to paying the room and board for everyone, and therefore our cancellation policy is stricter than if everyone were responsible for their own booking.

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Here is how it works: When you register for the retreat, your room and board must be paid in advance to the Alexander Alliance Germany. If you should have to cancel until 15th September 2020, we can refund your tuition, but we cannot refund your room and board. If you find a person to fill your place in the retreat, then we can totally refund your cost for room and board.

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As for tuition.

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Alexander Alliance Full Time International Trainees:

Very Early Bird: EUR 450 (until 25th January 2020)

Early Bird: EUR 500 (until 31st May 2020)

Late Bird: EUR 550 (registration deadline is 15th September 2020)

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Alexander Alliance Alumni, Post Graduate Graduates, and High Touch Graduates: 

Very Early Bird: EUR 600 (until 25th January 2020)

Early Bird: EUR 650 (until 31st May 2020)

Late Bird: EUR 700 (registration deadline is 15th September 2020)

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Alexander Alliance Part Time Trainees/Self Development Programs and Guests (Alexander Trainees, Alexander Teachers, Alexander Students):

Very Early Bird: EUR 700 (until 25th January 2020)

Early Bird: EUR 750 (until 31st May 2020)

Late Bird: EUR 800 (registration deadline is 15th September 2020)

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What are our options for getting to Kalamata and our hotel?

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Click on this link for starters, but we are going to make it even easier.

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https://www.filoxeniakalamata.com/explore-peloponnese/map.html

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It's low season, so there are not many direct flights to Kalamata, and they may be a bit more expensive, but it is possible. Flying into Athens, may be the more affordable way to go. 

We will organize a bus transfer from Athens airport (ATH) to the hotel on Saturday afternoon, October 10th, and also one from the hotel to Athens airport (ATH) on Sunday morning, Oct 18th. Thanks to our 4-star hotel, the price will  be quite affordable, depending upon how many of us, ranging from EUR 40 to EUR 15 per way. We will arrange for the bus to leave on October 10th from Athens airport (ATH) to our hotel in Kalamata around 16:30, and from our hotel in Kalamata to Athens airport (ATH) on October 18th, around 8:00. The drive will take between 3 and 3,5 hours.

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Another option would be to individually rent a car at Athens airport and give it back in Kalamata. Our hotel has a deal with the car rental company Europcar. They deliver cars directly at the hotel. If you are interested in this option please contact the Europcar directly (http://europcar-kalamata.com).

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There are also long distance buses from Athens to Kalamata (https://www.ktelmessinias.gr).

How to sign up and make it official.

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Please register by filling out the form below. If you have any questions as to the content of the retreat, please write to bf@brucefertman.com and if you have any organizational questions please write to retreat@alexanderalliance.de or m.gassner@alexanderalliance.de.

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If you want to bring family members to the retreat center who will accompany you but won't join the retreat, please add the full names incl. age(s) of kid(s) as well as food incompatibilities/special needs under comments. If you are a trainee from another school, please add under comments where you are currently training.

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