Alexander Technique

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is a physical development programme aimed at raising awareness of physical tension, posture, breathing and habitual movement patterns that interfere with the body’s natural function.

It was developed by F.M. Alexander, an actor, as a means of improving his vitality, poise and performance on stage. Traditionally, actors, singers, musicians, sports people and dancers have used the Technique to improve their general “use”. But because the Alexander Technique can help individuals who suffer from breathing disorders, pain, tension and postural issues it has gained a reputation amongst the general population. It is a taught method and clients come for lessons rather than treatment.

Rationale behind the Technique

When we were young, as children, we moved with natural poise and grace, but as we get older we develop habits, which affect our balance, co-ordination and ease of movement. It is difficult to change these habits because they feel “right”. The result is that we develop postural problems, tension and pain and no longer look or feel at ease with the world.

Alexander Technique restores ease.

Alexander Technique and Back Pain

Research shows that 80% of back pain is due to non-specific causes and that chronic back pain persists long after any tissue damage has healed.

The Alexander Technique helps to alleviate non-specific, chronic pain as it addresses many of its non-disease related causes.

• Undue Muscular Tension
• Posture
• Unhelpful thinking strategies
• Inappropriate movement patterns

Much of what we do is governed by habits laid down in childhood; while some of these habits are beneficial to our well being, others are not.

The body is designed to be at ease in an upright position but in today’s world many of us spend hours hunched over office or school desks, which distort the natural curve of the spine and throw our shoulders and head forward, putting a strain on postural ligaments. Postural ligaments have many nerve ending which when aggravated cause pain.

So often in life we are so busy and so preoccupied with pressing matters that we do not notice the pain response until it becomes overwhelming and stops us in our tracks.

Chronic pain is acknowledged to have physical and psychological dimensions as patients begin to develop a fear of the pain and become even more tense. Often chronic back pain patients are simply not aware of just how tense they are. Their unbalanced posture leads to emotional distress, muscle fatigue and trapped nerves, which the body responds to by producing yet more pain.

The Alexander Technique teaches us how to break this cycle, notice and release undue tension and develop new movement patterns that prevent pain and create greater ease within the body.

One to One sessions

Typically, a client will come for between three and 6 lessons.

Through guiding hands-on work and advice on movement patterns, individuals are offered the tools they need to be more at ease.

First, a client is taught to notice undue physical tension. Then, they learn how to undo this tension by thinking and feeling, before new appropriate movement patterns are taught.

• Session 1 Learning to notice
• Session 2 Undoing physical tension
• Session 3 Mental and physical strategies for easing movement
• Session 4 Sitting with ease
• Session 5 Standing and walking with ease
• Session 6 Being at ease

Group Lessons and workshops

In addition to one to one sessions, I run a series of workshops throughout the year. My clients include, educationalists, businessmen and women as well as health and well-being practitioners.