The heart of the Sapientia Initiative— Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique (RIAT)— founded by Nan Walsh and co-directed by Nan, Ariel Carson, Lori Schiff, and Caren Bayer — is dedicated to intensive personal study of the Technique in a group setting. It offers a high teacher student ratio (at least 1 to 5) and a path to teacher certification through the American Society for the Alexander Technique.
We offer:
- Matriculation in an AmSAT-certified 1600-hour Teacher Certification Program(TCP), completed in a minimum of three years.
- Daily, weekly, or monthly periods of intensive study as a non-matriculating participant on the course.
Looking for a taste of teacher training, but not ready to apply? RIAT offers individualized intensives — opportunities to study alongside our teacher trainees for a day, a week or a month, based on your needs.
Nan has been training AmSAT certified teachers since 2005. She founded RIAT, and its unique Teacher Certification Program in 2014. Nan’s breadth and depth of training experience contribute to RIAT’s unique and integrative training. While RIAT’s underlying structure is based on a highly developed, rigorous, and practical progression, the atmosphere on the course is friendly, fun, and informal.
Ariel Carson was Nan’s Associate Director since RIAT’s formation, and became a Co-director in 2026. She was joined by Lori Schiff as an Associate Director in 2018. In 2026, Lori also became a Co-director of RIAT. In 2020, Caren Bayer joined RIAT’s Faculty, completing a star studded lead teaching staff for RIAT’s Teacher Certification Program. In 2025, Caren became an Associate Director, and in 2026 became a Co-director of RIAT.
Ariel, Lori, and Caren lend an additional breadth and depth to Nan’s teacher training. The course is further enriched by a diverse group of RIAT trained Assistant Faculty and its wonderful Training Course Teacher Apprentices. Classes typically have 3 teachers in attendance, making for a high student teacher ratio that offers plenty of personal attention and hands-on. Combined together, the cadre teachers on the training course offer a immense wealth of expertise, skills, and over 100 years of collective teaching experience.
RIAT’s training program offers both large and small group learning experiences. The school, founded on a community-based paradigm, provides a well-established curriculum.
RIAT offers its Teacher Certification Program(TCP) in the vibrant Flatiron/NoMad district of New York City.
RIAT’s TCP, approved by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT), supports AmSAT’s mission to establish the Alexander Technique as a basic and recognized resource for health, productivity, and well-being.
Tuition information available on request.
