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What
is the Alexander Technique?
 The
basic idea behind The Alexander Technique is that, in all the gigantic
changes in our lifestyle in evolving from ape-like creatures to
modern man, our bodies have been left ill-equipped to cope. In effect
we are habitually misusing our bodies. As a consequence the standards
of our physical and mental functioning are adversely affected. The
Alexander Technique reunites mind and body and the student learns
to make all movements easier and with less effort and, as a result,
has more energy.
What's
the history bit then?
The
Alexander Technique was first developed by F Matthias Alexander
(1869-1955). He was an Australian actor who developed voice problems
and, during the process of investigating his own difficulties, the
Alexander Technique evolved.
By using mirrors Alexander noticed that when he prepared to speak
he was holding undue muscle tension that interfered with his balance.
In particular he noticed that he pulled his head back and down.
He then realised that virtually everyone tends to unknowingly do
this.
The Alexander Technique developed as he discovered a way to release
his habitual movement patterns and improve his awareness and control
of his body.
Alexander brought his technique to England in 1904. During the First
World War he met John Dewey, the pragmatist philosopher and the
"father of American Education". Dewey, then in his 50's,
began Alexander lessons and continued them for the next 35 years!
He was such a "fan" of the technique that he wrote introductions
to three of Alexander's books.
What
happens in Alexander Technique lessons?
Learning
the Alexander Technique is on a one-to one basis with a teacher.
It involves focussing on the student's co-ordination and their habitual
movements. Together the student and teacher work to restore a sense
of freedom in the neck, thereby facilitating release in the rest
of the body. It is a re-education of the whole neurological and
muscular systems of the body. The postural reflexes that lie in
the deeper muscles are stimulated to work more freely whilst the
outer layers of muscles become better balanced.
What
are the benefits of the Alexander Technique?
By
adopting the principles of the Alexander Technique the whole person
is re-tuned:
-
Breathing and speaking become easier
- Movement becomes freer, lighter and more enjoyable
- As sensory awareness and co-ordination improve, the quality of
attention sharpens
and the nervous system calms, so easing stress
- Back, joint, sciatica, asthma, RSI and other problems can also
be eased.
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