An Unexpected Transformation in Japan

These last few years, I have wanted to retire from BodyChance, my training school in Japan. 

I miss my family in Australia and wanted to do something different - maybe even become an actor again. Wait. Perhaps there isn’t such a big market for ageing white boomers? Oh well. Still, spending the last era of my life back in my culture - being close to my daughters as their lives unfolded - was more appealing than staying in Japan.

So first, I asked my current teaching staff if they wanted to carry on the school? Unfortunately, managing a complex school like BodyChance was not on anyone’s bucket list. Understandable. Then I began contemplating closing the school. Since the pandemic started, BodyChance has dramatically decreased in size, so now was a good time to wrap it all up. 

But how do you close a school with 65 trainees? 

And 100+ more trainees on break, many of whom want to return. In conscious, I could not do it. What was I going to do?

Even though BodyChance has been - and maybe still is - the largest Alexander training school in the world, I never imagined anyone would want to buy it. Whoever ever heard of a company buying an Alexander training school?

Well, now you can say you have heard of this happening in Japan.

Last week I signed a contract that says from April 1st, 2023, Zen Place will be the new owner of my BodyChance school. Zen Place is a Pilates & Yoga corporation with 100+ studios around Japan - they have hundreds of Pilates and Yoga teachers on their part-time staff. The CEO of Zen Place - Naru Osaki - is keen to develop the skills of his instructors and sees Alexander’s work as a way to improve the quality of service he offers the public. 

I don’t think I can underestimate the importance of this step. 

In essence, Alexander goes mainstream. 

Zen Place will introduce the name “Alexander Technique” to thousands upon thousands of new people who would never have heard of it otherwise. Eventually, Alexscovery teachers will be available in Zen Place Studios throughout Japan - alongside Pilates and Yoga - giving a whole new order of brand recognition for Alexander’s discovery in Japan.

And me?

I feel like Al Pacino in the 3rd Godfather movie:

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

Part of the sale contract was that I stay at least 3 years, preferably 5. 

The things I do for love.