A short introduction to the Alexander Technique.
What is it, and how does it work?
The Alexander Technique is not a therapy designed to ‘cure’, but a teaching method where you learn immensely practical skills to help overcome and prevent harmful habits of movement that lead to pain and lack of mobility. You’ll learn to move with greater ease and confidence, and discover that changing attitudes can alleviate pain and stress.
It is a mind and body practice that enables you to improve your well-being and maintain it for the rest of your life. It is seen as a ‘Way of Living’ or Mindfulness in Action; helping you all day, every day, whatever you’re engaged in.
Applying it to the things you enjoy, such as walking, art or sports of all kinds, means you will be more successful in those pursuits. And if you find giving presentations or being in new learning situations a challenge then Alexander Technique makes it easier, often eliminating the difficulty altogether.
And we’re never too old to change for the better! There isn’t an age limit for when to start lessons. I give lessons to people between the ages of 5 and 98 years old.
How is it taught?
In one to one lessons or in small groups, using a combination of discussion, verbal instruction, hand guidance and movements.
How many lessons would I need?
It depends what brings you for lessons, and what level of performance you wish to gain. Many people find 6 lessons produces useful benefits. For lasting change, 24 lessons gives the most benefit. It’s similar to learning to play a musical instrument or learning a new sport; the more instruction you have, the greater your application of the art.
Duration, Location and Cost
Lessons are held in Frome or Peasedown St John in Somerset, and last 45 minutes. Costs vary according to location and whether you’re coming for individual lessons or as part of a group.
Learning the Alexander Technique can:
- Improve balance and coordination
- Give better posture
- Boost confidence
- Improve breathing and speech
- Reduce Stress
- Provide pain management
People report that it alleviates:
- Back Pain – see research below
- General stress, sleeplessness and anxiety
- Performance Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
- Speech difficulties
Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research on the Alexander Technique
A Clinical Trial published in 2008 in the British Medical Journal (https://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a884) showed that the Alexander Technique provides long-term benefit for chronic back pain sufferers. Of all the approaches tested, 24 Alexander Technique lessons proved to be the most beneficial. You can see a video about this research here: https://youtu.be/coVXuDjHrfM
To find out more about the Alexander Technique, and how it was devised by FM Alexander in the early part of the 20th century, see: https://alexandertechnique.co.uk/alexander-technique/history
I attended my 3 year training to become an Alexander teacher at Dartington School of Arts, qualifying in 1984.
I’m a member of Alexander Technique International, and abide by their code of ethics.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Viktor Frankl, the famous Austrian psychologist.
Using Alexander Technique for Parkinson’s disease.
A Chef’s experience of the Alexander Technique.
A nurse’s story.
Famous People and the Alexander Technique
Many famous people use the Technique to improve their performance: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Judy Dench, Joanna Lumley, Sting, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ruby Wax, to name but a few.
