What is the Alexander Technique?
In order to function well, we all need a certain level of muscle tone. Unfortunately, because of the stress of daily living, many of us unconsciously exert more effort than we need. This tension then interferes with the natural alignment of our head, neck, spine and torso. This is one reason why many people experience chronic pain or have difficulty with an activity.
The Alexander Technique helps us to become aware of unnecessary muscle tension and reduce it. We can then cultivate an alignment of our head, neck and spine that has associated with it qualities of strength, ease of movement, and enhanced balance.
Where does the Alexander technique come from?
The technique has been in existence since the 1890's, when F.M. Alexander (1869-1955), a then well-known Australian actor, began to lose his voice as a result of his stage recitations of Shakespeare. Using mirrors to observe himself, he discovered that he was subtly interfering both with his voice production and with the alignment of his head, neck and spine, through unconscious muscle tension. During several years of patient observation and experimentation, he discovered a means of reducing that tension, with the result that his alignment improved. He eventually regained the use of his voice and was able to resume his acting career. He further realized that his discovery could be applied to all of his musculo-skeletal functioning, and he experienced a remarkable improvement in his overall health.
Alexander spent the rest of his life in England and the United States teaching people to make use of the process he had discovered. In the 1930's, he began training others how to teach the technique. Today there are several thousand Alexander Technique teachers world-wide.
Who can benefit from the Alexander Technique?
People who carry excess tension in their body.Athletes.
Performing artists.
Psychotherapy clients, or anyone who suffers from stress.
People who have suffered any type of emotional trauma or who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
People who meditate.
People who do martial arts or tai chi.
Pregnant women preparing for childbirth, and those who are raising children.
People who have suffered any type of physical trauma, such as a car accident, etc.
People who suffer from chronic pain resulting from arthritis, repetitive motion injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia and other conditions.
People who work at a computer, or who sit or stand for long periods.
How long will it take to learn it?
The Alexander Technique involves an educational process in which the student learns a set of skills that he or she can practice at home, and then apply in all aspects of life. Thus it's difficult to quantify how long each student will take to learn it. The benefits of the technique emerge gradually, over a period of time. In this sense, studying it is like learning to play a musical instrument or undertaking psychotherapy. All of these processes require motivation and a commitment of time and energy, yet their benefits last long after the lessons or sessions. If you are someone who enjoys a challenge of this kind, and finds self-examination valuable, then the Alexander Technique might be ideal for you.
What happens during a lesson?
I teach the Alexander Technique through private lessons that last one hour. I convey the work both with words and with a non-manipulative hands-on approach. I work with the student in three ways: on a table that the student lies on, in simple activities such as sitting, standing and walking, and finally while the student is actually involved in his or her activity (for example skiing or horseback riding, delivering a monologue, playing a musical instrument, or sitting at the computer). In other words, once the student has learned the skills, he or she can apply them to gradually more complex activities.
I recommend that students start with private lessons either once a week or twice a week. Eventually, as the student masters the skills, weekly lessons become less necessary.