This summer, New York City hosted AmSAT’s Annual Conference and General Meeting (ACGM), and Sapientia’s talented network got to contribute. Workshops led by RIAT, independent workshops from our grads, and an AT for All sampler event were all part of the official schedule.
The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) is a non-profit organization powered almost entirely by volunteers. The ACGM is therefore produced by the volunteer efforts of its members. Sapientia Initiative is committed to collaborating with AmSAT in its professional Alexander Technique education and fundraising efforts.
RIAT Leadership at the ACGM
“The ACGM was a wonderful gathering of practitioners committed to deepening their practice through exchange and new perspectives. RIAT’s workshop, ‘A Continuous Beginning,’ marked the first collaboration between Ariel, Nan, and myself as Co-Directors—and it went beautifully. We never tire of exploring the depths of primary control, and through new applications, each participant discovered something fresh within familiar territory.”
–Caren Bayer, RIAT Co-Director
RIAT Grad Serena Venditto Teaches at the ACGM
“AmSAT’s conference committee encouraged new teachers to share their perspectives and propose workshops. I am so glad that I did! Teaching a workshop gave me the opportunity to reflect on and synthesize what I have learned in these early years of teaching. It was a gift to share this with other teachers and connect with my colleagues across the country.
Additionally, I served on the Attendee Convocation Committee (ACC) this past year and helped facilitate an in-person discussion among AmSAT members on the last day of the conference. It was rewarding to see the virtual meetings from the past year manifest as a productive conversation for the dozens of teachers and trainees in attendance.
I look forward to seeing more trainees and teachers participate in AmSAT to build community and continue sharing the Alexander Technique with the world!”
–Serena Venditto, RIAT class of 2020
AT for All x ACGM
During this year’s ACGM, Stephen McLean, Steve Borzykowski, and Ariel Carson co-facilitated an introductory workshop for the public hosted by Sapientia, which offered different areas of focus to explore AT: breathing coordination, chronic pain management, and accessing one’s innate resilience. It was a joy to watch each participant experience little light bulb moments of connection throughout the afternoon. Thanks to all who attended and helped organize!
With Appreciation
Many thanks to Lisa DeAngelis for her indefatigable leadership; not only did she make a hard job look easy, she made it look fun. Many thanks as well to Eleanor Taylor for serving as the Co-Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, which included bringing her knowledge from planning past conferences, working on the schedule, and tracking the budget. And special recognition to Patrick Connelly for serving on the Conference Planning Committee, which involved handling room scheduling, giving the opening welcome & orientation, and being available on site before, during, and after the conference. Much thanks to all RIAT folks whose volunteerism helped to make the ACGM a wonderful event. Special recognition to:
Steve Borzykowksi, Ariel Carson, Kecia Chin, Karla Booth-Diamond, Nadav Gerson, Genia Gould, Nico Leyva, and Stephen McLean.