Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is taught to musicians, dancers and actors during their training. The rest of us might be lucky to come across it when we hear of someone finding relief from back/neck /shoulder pain by practicing the technique. Or we may hear people who use the technique simply tell how it enables them to do everything ‘better’.
What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is based on principles and is taught using procedures. One principle is that we have habits of movement and thought and some of these habits serve us well and some do not. We learn through the technique how to identify harmful habits and how to replace them. The head /neck relationship gets a lot of attention when practicing the Alexander Technique. Allowing freedom at the very top of our spine where the head sits on the first vertebra is of great benefit to our overall posture and movement. Yet most of us fix this joint, typically by pointing our chins forward towards whatever has our attention.
Practice the Alexander Technique
By practicing the Alexander Technique you will consciously allow freedom in your neck and jaw to allow your head to float freely on top of your spine as it is designed to do.
"You translate everything whether physical, mental or spiritual into muscle tension" F.M. Alexander 1869 -1955
"There is no such thing as a right position but there is such thing as a right direction". F.M. Alexander 1869 -1955
"Choose to be quiet throughout your whole body with particular reference to the head and neck" Margaret Goldie 1905 -1997
Applying the Alexander Technique in various activities
Everyday activities such as sitting, standing and walking are explored to identify detrimental habits of posture and movement.
Simple concepts are taught such as ‘when you stop doing the wrong thing the right thing happens by itself ’.
Like any new skill it must be practiced on a regular basis.
Following lessons the student will give a lot more attention to their use of body and mind.
The good news is that lying in the semi-supine posture is the most common ‘homework’ students are given. How bad is it to be told to lie on your back in the semi-supine posture with
some books under your head and to talk to your muscles?
Many celebrities have learned and practice the Alexander Technique including: Hugh Jackman; Madonna; Paul McCartney; and Mairtin O’Connor.
Another principle of the technique, which was developed by F.M. Alexander in the early 1900’s, is that of Psycho-physical unity. Well, I think we all fully accept that one. What’s going on in our mind affects our body - now where did that clenched jaw come from? What’s going on in our body affects our mind - we all know that if we stand tall we feel more confident than if we sit slumped.