What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is a technique to support people to give up the harmful tension patterns that have developed in the body through what we call subconscious 'mis-use'. It is taught through verbal instruction and hands-on gentle guidance. And yet it is not a 'how to' technique! It would be more accurate to say that it is about learning the art of 'non-doing' (and this being very different to doing nothing).
How we sit, stand and move affects how our body functions
It is a little known fact that the shape, functioning and comfort of our body is affected by how we use it - how we move, sit, stand and think.
How we use it is most commonly determined by life's challenges and joys, unconscious habits, and what (unconsciously) feels 'right' to us.
How to change
If we want to change how we use ourself so that our shape and movements are more beneficial to us, Alexander discovered that this is possible with some key ingredients:
Recipe for Natural, Easier Movement
Method
With the hands-on guidance and verbal help of a teacher, slowly and regularly add these ingredients together over time and allow them to integrate and become a part of your conscious and unconscious knowing until natural, easier lighter and more comfortable movement becomes a part of who you are.
It is a little known fact that the shape, functioning and comfort of our body is affected by how we use it - how we move, sit, stand and think.
How we use it is most commonly determined by life's challenges and joys, unconscious habits, and what (unconsciously) feels 'right' to us.
How to change
If we want to change how we use ourself so that our shape and movements are more beneficial to us, Alexander discovered that this is possible with some key ingredients:
Recipe for Natural, Easier Movement
- A conscious desire/motivation to change the status quo
- A basic practical understanding of how our body is designed/evolved to move
- A willingness to let go of what initially feels right and to allow unfamiliar sensations of lightness
- Practice in stopping acting on our first impulse to move
- Practice in giving conscious preventative directions to ourselves
- Regular support and guidance over a period of time
- The 'x-factor' dynamic between teacher and pupil
- Time and patience!
Method
With the hands-on guidance and verbal help of a teacher, slowly and regularly add these ingredients together over time and allow them to integrate and become a part of your conscious and unconscious knowing until natural, easier lighter and more comfortable movement becomes a part of who you are.
"When an investigation comes to be made, it will be found that every single thing we are doing in the work is exactly what is being done in Nature, where the conditions are right, the difference being that we are learning to do it consciously."
FM Alexander
FM Alexander
