Alexander Technique



What is The Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is not a therapy but a means of health  education.
F M Alexander made certain unique discoveries and observations  about health and well-being, devising a practical technique for  putting these findings into effect. The Technique is generally taught on a one to one basis. Lessons involve the teacher using his/her hands together with  verbal instruction to guide the pupil towards improved balance  and co-ordination. By rediscovering the dynamic relationship between the head, neck,  back and limbs, a new awareness and heightening of consciousness  on all levels may be achieved, together with an improvement in  general well-being.
Lessons do not consist of exercises, but involve exploring familiar  activities such as standing walking, sitting, speaking and bending,  etc. The Technique has proved beneficial for those with back, neck  and pelvic problems and also as a means of alleviating the stresses  and tension of modern life. Lessons usually last 30 to 40 minutes. Although some benefit may  be obtained from taking just a few lessons to maintain and develop  the benefits for oneself, a course of lessons spread over several  months is usually recommended.



What causes the problems?
Physical, psychological and mental well-being is profoundly affected  by the way the body is used or misused. The Alexander Technique is concerned with the way we use ourselves  in all our activities. This may range from domestic chores, office work, writing, driving  martial arts, yoga, tai chi, paying a sport or musical instrument,  horse riding, dancing, golf, aerobics, pilates, swimming, the  list is endless.
Bad posture and muscular tension can be the cause of many common  complaints such as backache, arthritis and mental stress. Good  balance, co-ordination and ease of movement seem natural in healthy  individuals - particularly so in small children or a talented  athlete (their chosen sport looks easy to perform). As we grow,  however, and have to deal with the various demands life makes  upon us, we can develop unstable patterns of movement. To compensate  our coping mechanisms create tightening and stiffening throughout  the organism. In turn, this results in over effort, interfering  with balance, breathing and ease of movement. Ultimately, these  may result in back pain, headaches, a stiff neck, painful joints,  voice and throat problems or general fatigue.

The Technique is not a relaxation method, but a way in which the  pupil will learn to release excess muscle tension and find a better  state of balance, mentally and physically. This can be evident on  many levels from coping with work and colleagues, family and friends  to the manner in which we deal with more difficult periods which  often cannot be avoided and are part of being human.

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About Frederick Mathias Alexander
F M Alexander was born in Australia in 1869. He grew up in a small village in Tasmania and left home at sixteen. Interested in music and drama he eventually worked in Melbourne,  reciting Shakespeare and other dramatic pieces - a popular form  of entertainment of that time.
A persistent vocal problem led to Alexander seeking medical help  and he was advised to rest.
Nevertheless, the problem persisted to such an extent that he realised  that he must be doing
Something to create the trouble.
After many years of self study Alexander devised a unique method  of working to avoid his own 'misuse'.  It is this Technique which is today still being taught throughout  the world today and from which many people benefit.

Sarah Davey is a qualified member of the Society of Teacher of  the Alexander Technique.

Sarah : 01442 250712/mob 07850 142849
Email: sadalli4ever@gmail.com
Sarah @ www.yogamemore.co.uk

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PRIVACY POLICY
No personal information about class members or clients electronically.
Health questionnaires and case histories are not taken stored or collected by email.
Printed health questionnaires and case histories are stored securely. No information about you is shared with any other organisatio or the data processed in any way.
Details of any health condition, contact details and/or emergency contact details are stored in printed form and held securely.   
Any information collected is required in order to make necessary adjustments and modifications for an individual whether in class or being treated on a one to one basis. Also, it may, on a very rare occasion be necessary to contact someone in the case of a medical/other emergency. You can request to have your questionnaire/any case history destroyed at any time.