I knew I had to study the AT after a chance remark. I was familiar with the Technique and through it had found immediate relief when experiencing back pain. With no real inkling as to what it was about I felt an urge to start forthwith, an adventure that would take me where it wilt. Those three years were challenging, painful, mystifying and exhilarating. While I gradually came to appreciate the reality of my physical modus vivendi, it was always the psychological outcome that I most valued and was fascinated by. I found I could choose my thinking, respect my emotions and find a balance between them and my movement. I felt liberated and confident, and also knew that aches and pains could be mastered as long as I reflected on how I was using myself.
What makes the AT powerful is that you learn a fresh perspective and the means to change. The famous ‘stopping’ or I prefer pausing, allows you an insight into how you are in a given moment, in particular how your body is functioning. But also your mind and emotions — as being interconnected. In the ‘pause’ you take the time needed to decide on your direction of travel.
Alexander questioned the status quo. He saw the familiar with new eyes and applied his ideas to what he was doing and more importantly how he was doing it. His method for improving physical performance was through the conscious releasing of unnecessary tension. He soon attracted others eager for him to share these insights. Thus started his journey of education and the term The Alexander Technique. His ideas have naturally inspired new ones and their possibilities have multiplied. Much research has been done on the efficacy of the Technique and in particular two recent Scientific studies linked below back up a few of the known benefits.
The indirect approach of the Alexander technique focuses on simple movements, for example getting in and out of a chair, picking something up, or going downstairs. Bit by bit you become aware of unconscious patterns, maybe of tension, that limit your ability to perform optimally, cause fatigue, or pull you down physically and emotionally. In becoming aware of how you are using your ‘Self’ you discover how not to do the things that interfere with your natural easy movement.
“I am not going to teach you what is right. I will help you to find out what is causing you to be wrong” F M Alexander
The Alexander Technique was developed by F. M. Alexander (1869-1955). What is it? It is about many things, but it is certainly about the way we relate to our body: how we move, the way we hold ourselves, how we respond to people and different situations, even our belief systems are part of the picture as everything we think and feel is reflected in our bodily behaviour. In other words - as we know so clearly today - the body and the mind are closely related.
In an Alexander lesson we go through simple everyday movements, that are relevant to you in your daily life and to your particular interests and problems, like getting in and out of a chair, bending, walking, using your voice, or playing a musical instrument. Bit by bit you learn to notice the way you use yourself: how you stand, your balance, your breathing, how you lift up objects - maybe a musical instrument, a spade or a cricket bat. You will become aware of unnecessary habits of muscular tension. Awareness is the first step and then gradually you find you will be able to reduce the tension and use yourself in a better way.
What is special about the Alexander Technique is its concern with thinking as well as physical activity. As we begin to use our bodies more efficiently, our minds and emotions are affected in a positive way. To mention my own development as an example, I noticed early in my training that my awareness and perception were sharper, my outlook and mood lifted, my confidence and functioning improved. I had a feeling of empowerment and sense of wonder at both the strength and also the intricacies and fragility of the human body. Such experiences are common in the process of learning the Alexander Technique.
There are many books on the Technique and I would recommend Live Better: Alexander Technique - skills and inspirations for well being, by Joe Searby, published by Duncan Baird. However, the only way to begin to understand what this technique is about is to experience it for yourself. If you would like to explore this further do please contact me.