Overview

“The Alexander Technique is an intelligent way to solve body problems”. Developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander, this hands-on healing method seeks to encourage all body processes to work more efficiently thus reducing stress and physical discomfort.

This may sound ironic, but the Alexander Technique is really not so much about learning as it is about ‘un-learning’. Life as we know it now is mechanical and stressful.

This means that right from our childhood we start accumulating unwanted muscular tension throughout the body. If unreleased, this tension leads to ailments such as back and neck pain, arthritis, sciatica, migraine, hypertension, insomnia and even depression. Obviously, harmful habits are bound to take their toll.

Even though medical science and natural health and healing research have been progressing faster than a forest fire on a hot afternoon, diseases and ailments have managed to win the race. The reason is quite simple. As stress and tension have increased, humans have adapted by using certain body techniques. We no longer sit, we slump. We no longer stand straight, we slouch or lean. These miniscule changes affect our entire system and trigger diseases. Modern medicine combats the problem by prescribing powerful painkillers that effectively silence the body’s natural warning system. This is no cure; it is just a case of ‘burying one’s head in the sand’.

Most of us are not even aware of the tension piling up within us. The Alexander Technique makes us aware of the balance, co-ordination and posture of the body while performing actions. This consciousness helps us to relieve discomfort and pain, or even avoid them altogether. The technique teaches us new ways of sitting, walking, standing and lying down that puts less strain on our muscles, bones and joints. Thus our body works more efficiently while keeping wear and tear to the barest minimum.

History

The Alexander Technique derives its name from F.M. Alexander (1869-1955), an Australian actor who, in the late 19th century turned his attentions to coaching ‘vocal training’ with fellow actors. Alexander became very focused on finding the correct postures needed to enhance a vocal delivery. He soon realized that posture was the key factor in this training. His coaching produced excellent results, and, furthermore, those he coached reported that once they had adopted his new postures their respiratory illnesses were few if any. Word spread about this natural health and healing procedure, and Doctors began sending patients with respiratory problems to Alexander, and found his techniques very powerful and effective.

In the process of this work Alexander came to notice that not only issues with breathing affect a persons health and mental state, he found that the whole physiological state of a person affected their mental state, and visa versa. So Alexander set about studying the general posture of people, and noticing how changes in general posture have often profound effects on their psychological state. Alexander’s techniques are practiced throughout the world nowadays, and many benefit greatly from it’s natural and holistic approach.

The Theory Behind The Alexander Technique

As we grow over the early years of our lives initially we are well equip to orient our bodies as nature intended. However, over the period of our childhood we are all subjected to the influences of those around us, and we tend to adopt their habits and postures. Babies know exactly how to sit up, yet most adults adopt some form of slouch when sitting. All manner of habits of coordination affect our posture. Some come from our state of mind at a particular time, maybe we are unhappy or stressed and this shows in our posture.

All these ‘habits’ are well formed and naturally feel ‘right’ to us as individuals, why wouldn’t they, we’ve been doing them all our lives? So in just the same way that a mental state may give rise to a physical posture, a change in posture has an influence on our mental states. Alexander realized, quite before many others did, that the mind and body are inexorably linked, and that changes in one affect the other. Alexander developed many techniques to help us re-learn our natural and most affective postures, and those he treated reported amazing changes, not only in their overall health but in their state of mind too.

Maybe you would like to try doing this. Have someone you know watch you as you walk around the room talking. First pick a subject you love and a happy memory and have them watch you closely ignoring your story and focusing on your posture and breathing. Go fully into the memory as you recall the event. Then take a break for a few minutes to ‘calm down’ to a neutral state. Next do the exact same things only this time talk about something that annoys you, or irritates or confuses you? Have your friend tell you what they notice. Also what do you notice about your own physical posture. Try walking briskly and clenching your teeth firmly, and/or your fists too. Try breathing high up in your chest and walking briskly, then move to breathing deep in your chest by pushing out your stomach. Breathe through your nose and then through your mouth. What do you notice?

Simple as these examples are we all see people’s postures changing all the time as they go from one state of mind to another. All our postures are well learned, yet, with Alexander’s techniques can be re-learned surprisingly quickly and easily. Whilst your friend in the above little test will notice a few things an Alexander trained practitioner will see many, many more, and will know how to influence them to bring about beneficial changes in the way you coordinate your movements.

What Happens if I am Treated?

Just as you would if you were looking for any specialized treatment seek out a qualified practitioner of The Alexander Technique using the internet or local directories. Ask any questions that may concern you when making an appointment, but generally and as there is no actual invasive treatment involved you would do well to go have a first session and judge for yourself how you feel afterwards. It is so difficult to have questions about an experience you have not yet had, after one session you will certainly know if you need more information, and also what questions you really need answered.

Your normal session would be around 30-45 minutes, first sessions may be longer as this is the first time the practitioner has met you and needs at assess you carefully. Wear loose clothing to allow yourself comfortable freedom of movement. Mostly your posture will be adjusted whilst you are in the lying position, after which you will be asked to stand and then the practitioner gently guides and adjusts your posture as you begin your re-learning. There is no manipulation, heavy exercises, stretches and strains with The Alexander Technique; it is a gentle and simple system and almost anyone can take to it quickly.

The number of sessions you will attend is obviously dependent upon what you visit the practitioner for in the first place. You might attend 15 times or even 30, it just depends upon how much re-learning you need to gain the correct posture. After experiencing the ‘new’ posture you are likely to notice how your muscles begin to move with much less effort yet with maximum efficiency. Also how this feeling affects the way you are thinking and your general mental state becomes much more positive.

The Alexander Technique is Good for What?

The Alexander Technique is not like some treatments where a long list of ailments can be produced. What you have to keep in mind is the principle behind the technique which is that the mind and body are one and not two separate entities. Therefore what affects one will have an affect on the other, and visa versa. It is well recognized these days that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, and conversely a healthy mind keeps the body healthy. Much research is underway noting the affects of our mental states on our ability to remain healthy and also to fight off diseases. There is little doubt that if your posture is as it should be you are doing all you can to align your whole being. Once you have your posture corrected you will begin to notice many things in your life have changed, or are changing. Changes may be large or small dependant upon the history of each individual. Maybe you wish to ‘cure’ something or maybe you just wish to enhance your already healthy life, by using The Alexander technique you will be setting up your whole organism in the way nature intended, and there is no doubt that in so doing you are giving yourself the best possible help available.

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