Alexander technique works through thinking in activity: identifying our habits, our default brain settings, and using conciousness to unlearn these, so our original settings returns. It is about mindfulness, becoming present.
Our bodies and minds work together. Collapsing down or being uptight are both physical and emotional states. When we learn to rebalance physically, we also rebalance mentally and emotionally.
Alexander technique is a simple and practical method that anyone can learn, to help themselves, and take back control over their own lives and problems.
The best way to learn the technique is by one-to-one lessons with a qualified teacher. (If you live too far from me, look for a teacher with a three year training, preferably recognised by one of the main societies eg STAT, ISATT). You can also get a
basic understanding of the technique by taking workshops or short courses.
People find:
Any age (8+) can benefit from Alexander technique. It can help children and teenagers to:
I have worked with children from as young as eight years old. I observe that teenagers particularly can benefit from the technique, to help find themselves at this critical time.
Growing older provides many challenges. The Alexander techique can help to:
Mum and daughter in office demonstrating good, stress-free posture
Getting up off the floor for older citizens, using Alexander technique:
Physical Problems
Breathings & Voice Problems
Emotional Problems
Natural Vision Improvement
Personal Development
Pregnancy & Childbirth
I have a bulging disc in my lower back, and had ended up with arthritis in my hip, but no bone degeneration. I had done Alexander technique a couple of times in a group, and I could feel my upper body relaxing, but I couldn't seem to make a difference in the hip and the lower leg. So that's why I came for lessons. And it is getting down there! But there's a lot of side benefits from it too, and it makes me think! The pain is not fully gone from the hip, (it will probably always give pain because the fluid is gone from the joint) but it doesn't stop me doing anything now; I can manage it much better. The leg is much better, I can do a lot more of the things I couldn't do. My biggest problem was driving, I couldn't move my foot from the accelerator to the brake, it was just very painful. Now I can drive no problem.
I came for lessons after a car accident, with neck problems, and my neck is way better now. It makes you very mindful, and aware, and gives you the techniques to change the way you move in a very gentle non-strenuous way and I can do it at home. I've been to all kinds of different therapy, physiotherapy primarily, actually most of it causes more stress: more things to do, and we all have too much to do as it is. And physically, though they can help, this is a far subtler, gentler, more mindful way of approaching injury, than direct physiotherapy, particularly for someone like me with my aching muscles, because of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I was possibly one of Penelope's first student when she was a trainee Alexander teacher some 25 years ago. For years I had headaches and back ache, helped somewhat but not entirely by chiropractic and acupuncture. I remember how she eased my body into a natural resting position, and slipped a few books under my head to get my spine in alignment. How simple and natural it seemed and felt, yet so profound too. Something shifted for me during those lessons and I know that it was only through the work with her that I had any long-term alleviation of my symptoms. After my sessions I had no more headaches to speak of, even to this day. My back was also vastly improved.
