Alexander Technique
What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is an educational method used worldwide for over 100 years. By teaching how to change faulty postural habits, it enables improved mobility, posture, performance and alertness along with relief of chronic stiffness, tension and stress.
Why do people study the Alexander Technique?
The most common reason is to relieve pain through learning better coordination of the musculoskeletal system.
Another common reason people take lessons in the Alexander Technique is to enhance performance. Athletes, singers, dancers, and musicians use the Technique to improve breathing, voice, and speed and accuracy of movement.
Most people have many habitual patterns of tension. These patterns can be unlearned, enabling the possibility of new choices in posture, movement and reaction.
During lessons a student learns how to go about your daily activities with less effort and greater ease. Students develop awareness of habits that interfere with their natural coordination and learn how to undo these patterns.
Who studies the Alexander Technique?
People of all ages study the Alexander Technique to relieve pain, reduce stress, improve posture and enhance performance.
Examples include people with:
- chronic back pain
- balance issues
- neck and shoulder pain
- posture issues
And:
- public speakers
- people wanting greater flexibility
- amateur and professional athletes
- performing artists (singers, dancers, actors, musicians)
- computer users with hand, wrist and arm pain
What are the benefits of the Alexander Technique?
Improved ability to deal with stress
By teaching how to respond to any stimulus with less tension, the Alexander Technique enables the student to better handle life's stresses.
Pain relief
Excess muscle tension is a leading component of musculoskeletal pain (and often its underlying cause). People tend to respond to pain by tensing further, which makes the pain worse.
Alexander Technique is known for its effectiveness in relieving neck, back and joint pain for the long-term because it teaches how to recognize and unlearn these habitual patterns.
Athletes
Athletes use Alexander Technique to:
- improve strength
- increase endurance
- enhance flexibility
- increase speed and accuracy of responsiveness
Performing artists
Performing artists use Alexander Technique to:
- relieve performance anxiety
- improving focus and stage presence
Public speakers
Public speakers use Alexander Technique to:
- improve vocal projection and overall voice quality
Business People
Business People use Alexander Technique to:
- enhance presentation skills
- increase confidence
What does the Alexander Technique teach?
With a teacher's guidance, a student develops increased awareness of habits of thought and habits of posture and movement.
How is the Alexander Technique taught?
The Alexander Technique is taught through a series of private lessons as well as through group classes. Private lessons with a certified teacher are the best way to learn the Alexander Technique.
Over a course of lessons, the teacher introduces concepts and practices that increase awareness of the:
- nervous system
- muscular system
- skeletal system
What happens in a lesson?
The teacher instructs the student — with verbal guidance and light touch — to approach movement differently.
Students learn to recognize habit patterns that may be interfering with ease and flexibility and they learn how to discontinue them.
No special clothing needed - normal street attire is appropriate.
There are two parts to a lesson:
Table work
To more easily experience the body's muscles in a neutral state, part of the lesson takes place lying down (fully clothed) on a lightly padded table. The student is on their back with their knees bent.
The teacher will teach the student how to recognize and release any unnecessary tension they may be holding. The student is an active participant: their eyes are open and conversation takes place.
Guidance during activity
This part of the lesson involves simple activities such as:
- sitting
- standing
- walking
- speaking
- reaching
- and more
The teacher helps the student perform those activities with greater ease.
Students are welcome to work with their teacher on particular activities of interest such as:
- computer work
- public speaking
- their favorite sport
- even sleeping position
- and more
In any activity a student brings to a lesson, they learn to apply the principles of Alexander Technique to reduce compression and increase overall ease and proficiency.
How long will it be before I see results?
Each lesson will bring new insights that you can apply immediately. Within the first 6 lessons a student will probably notice that what they are experiencing in their Alexander Technique lessons is carrying over into their daily life.
As their understanding grows, they will be able to apply what they have learned to a wider range of activities. Instead of a quick fix with a fleeting effect, lessons result in gradual change and long-lasting results.
Who are some well-known students of the Alexander Technique?
Notable people from a variety of fields have studied the Alexander Technique over the years. A sampling includes:
- Nikolaas Tinbergen, Nobel Laureate in Physiology/Medicine, 1973
- Sir Charles Sherrington, Nobel Laureate in Medicine, 1932
- George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Laureate in Literature, 1925
- John Dewey, Educator and Philosopher
- Aldous Huxley, writer
- John Cleese, actor
- Lynn Redgrave, actor
- Annette Bening, actor
- Hilary Swank, actor
- Paul Newman, actor
- Julie Andrews, actor
- Sir Colin Davis, conductor
- James Galway, musician
- Yehudi Menuhin, musician
- Madonna, singer
- Sting, singer, musician
For more information on the Alexander Technique, visit the American Society for the Alexander Technique website.
