WHAT IS ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE?
Alexander Technique (AT) can be summarised thus:
1. We Had It
2. We Lose It
3. We’re given it back
4. We make it our own!
Alexander Technique
AT helps us recover the natural poise & co-ordination often disturbed by the stresses of modern living.
The AT teacher’s expertise is to give you experience of moving:
- With less effort & stress
- Avoiding tension &
- With more freedom & lightness of movement.
“What am I doing (unwittingly) to interfere with my best functioning?”
“What am I doing (unwittingly) to interfere with my best functioning?” This was F M Alexander’s basic question. By painstaking self-observation and experimentation, he finally solved the problem for himself; and then he devised an effective and efficient method for teaching others.
Alexander principles can be applied to any activity, from the simplest to the most complex, in order to:
- Help reduce or avoid workplace discomfort and RSI
- Help prevent back and neck pain, tension headaches and other aches or pains to do with postural issues
- Undertake fitness activities and sport with more enjoyment, reducing the risk of injury
- Improve performance in eg music-making, singing, public speaking.
The Alexander Technique (AT), applied to everyday life, helps you to:
- Improve posture, poise and movement
- Prevent undue stress and strain, aches and pains
- Function better and achieve more with less effort
- Become calmer & more mindful.
DOES ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE WORK?
Back pain
A recent scientific trial (randomised & controlled)* showed that even six individual AT lessons – plus moderate regular walking – produced significant lasting relief from symptoms in people with chronic lower back pain. This was significantly better than standard GP intervention or the equivalent number of massage sessions. More lessons produced even better outcomes.
*Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain, Little et al, BMJ, 2008.
Click for the abstract at the BMJ website.
Who/what else does it help?
Although there are no other proper trials to date, anecdotal and pilot trial evidence shows that learning AT can help with neck pain and stress management.
AT teachers know from experience that people with many conditions where postural and coordination problems are a factor, benefit from learning and applying AT.
Many sports people and other performers (actors, dancers and musicians) use AT to reduce their risk of injury and to help improve their performance. It is also used to enhance self-presentation skills and public speaking.
Women also find the Alexander Technique helpful in pregnancy, birth and in the post-natal period.
Learning Alexander Technique
The role of the AT teacher is to show you how your mind and body co-ordinate in your everyday activities. Stress impacts on the neck muscles and this upsets the whole postural balance. A key principle is to learn how to free the neck of excessive tension so that the head can balance more delicately on top of the spine & the torso can lengthen and widen.
Most people need a course of 12-15 lessons over a few months – starting weekly – to create a solid foundation & to begin to acquire the skills for further self-development.
Individual lessons last 45 minutes (except the initial appointment, which takes an hour). Fees are moderate (currently £35) and concessionary rates are available on request.
Cancellations: Please give 48 hours’ notice; otherwise you may be liable for the full fee.
Practising the Alexander Technique lying down in the releasing position.
For more information click on
Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique or The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique