Many of us struggle with various aches, pains and strains, restricted performance, anxiety and fatigue. We might try many types of exercise or relaxation therapies, but these can never give us long-term benefit if we continue to use ourselves in unnatural ways day-in, day-out. So, we need to learn how to change the habitual way that we approach life. The Alexander Technique is a way to learn how to do this, by improving our self-awareness as we go about our daily activities.

How does it work? 
You have a series of lessons, one-to-one, with a teacher. You wear everyday, casual clothes. The teacher uses his/her hands very gently to make you aware of the habitual tensions that you are using in basic positions (sitting, standing, bending, lying-down, etc.). With the teacher’s guidance, you learn how to replace excessive and inappropriate tension with an easier, lighter state of co-ordination and movement. This can then be extended to any activity (playing a sport or musical instrument, desk and computer work, public speaking, gardening, home maintenance, caring for a new-born baby, etc.).

Where does it come from?
The Technique’s originator, Frederick M Alexander (1869-1955) was an Australian actor who developed his methods to help solve his own breathing and vocal disorders. The Technique has become one of the most famous “mind and body” methods introduced to the western world in the last 100 years, and is taught in music and drama colleges world-wide.

What if I have a serious disability?
Following injury, illness or disability, our neuro-muscular systems generally provide us with important defensive strategies, but unfortunately these often persist long beyond their usefulness. As a result, we can become “glued” into using restrictive, often painful patterns of movement and co-ordination. The Alexander Technique is a safe, gentle method which can help you to re-gain natural functionality.

Recently published clinical trials have shown the Technique to be beneficial in cases of:
     -  Chronic back-pain (British Medical Journal, 2008)
     -  Parkinson’s Disease (Clinical Rehabilitation, 2002; Journal of Bodywork and Movement
        Therapies, 2005).
 
How many lessons do I need?
Everyone is different, but you should first allow about 5-10 lessons to decide whether you think the Technique is useful for you. However, it takes time to change the habits of a life-time, so a series of 30 or more lessons will generally be required to give you a basic foundation.