_ABOUT TANYA BÉNARD

Tanya Bénard is a CANSTAT-Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique. Often sought out for her clarity as a communicator, she currently maintains a private practice in both Toronto and Halton.  Since 2005, Tanya has also taught the Alexander Technique at The Royal Conservatory in various capacities – most notably, developing and teaching a popular and longstanding Alexander Technique programme for The Glenn Gould School.

In addition to offering private lessons, Tanya is also  active as a workshop presenter and clinician. Equally at home working with small, illness-based support groups as she is presenting to large national conferences, Tanya enjoys the challenge of conveying the Technique to a wide range of audiences. Past presentations have included McMaster University, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, the Chronic Pain Association of Canada, the Parkinson’s Society, Whole Foods Market and the Hillside Festival. She frequently appears as a clinician and Alexander Technique teacher-in-residence for various musical organizations, summer institutes and festivals. Tanya is a graduate of the Toronto School of the Alexander Technique, where she served as an assistant on the teacher training course from 2006-2009.

Tanya became interested in the Alexander Technique while pursuing a career as a clarinetist. She has worked as a professional musician, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Along the way, Tanya became curious about how people learn.  She holds additional qualifications in pedagogy (with a focus on 'whole person learning' and the role of movement in music education) and in child development.  Tanya also brings to her work as a teacher of the Alexander Technique extensive experience as an educator, working with both children and adults in a variety of settings.  Her work with children has led to a deep appreciation for presenting things in simple and engaging terms, and for the role of play and exploration in learning. 

"Together with improved physical and mental health, I have found that the Alexander Technique has brought about a general heightening of consciousness on all levels."

-Aldous Huxley