What is the Alexander Technique?

Definition- “The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support, and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method that helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities….”

-Alexandertechnique.com/at/

You most likely have heard of a mind-body connection, but with a knowledge of the Alexander Technique, you can go much deeper than that. You will find how to observe the self using your 6th sense of proprioception (awareness of the position and movement of the bodies position and muscles), which allows you to experience a sense of self that is more fully embodied and, in turn, allows you to find more space between your thoughts and actions. Not only will you be able to notice your responses to your thoughts and other stimuli, but you will also begin to notice your physical body’s responses. With this newly discovered space, your actions will be closer to who you truly are and what you genuinely want in that given moment. 

Why Alexander Technique?

We often move through life believing that we are only our thoughts and actions, but in actuality, we are so much more than that. We forget that we are moving and interacting with the world around us, always connected to a sensuous body that has evolved to be very aware of the present moment.  We are not evolved to exist in the past or the future. If we live our days comparing ourselves and thinking of the past, we may start to notice we become depressed. If we live our days only considering what’s to come and what needs to be done for the future, we may start to notice anxiety in our lives.

Most people believe you have to work harder and harder to achieve your goals and that if they don’t, they will fall behind or fail. This leads to a lot of tension in the body and high anxiety in one’s inner dialogue. Thoughts influence muscles, and muscles influence our thoughts. The Alexander Technique teaches how to use, think, and move our bodies away from habitual use to make way for more freedom of physical and emotional choices. We get so locked into our patterns and habits that we get lost in them. These habits can be how you choose which hand to drink your coffee, How you hold your shoulders when you drive, and which side of the bed you sleep on. But these habits can root down enough so much that they create habits of Identity and ingrained patterns of behavior that could lead to physical pain or unneeded tension and stress in your musculoskeletal system and anxiety in your inner mental dialogue.

AT taps into these habits and supports the student by offering them tools of observation and sensory feedback and cultivating their proprioception. The key to escaping rigidity and tension is awareness. How is my thinking affecting the way I use my body? How informed am I about how my body works? Am I free enough to make moment-to-moment informed choices that are fresh and new, or am I stuck in the same old discomfort and dissatisfaction? All these questions will be explored in an Alexander Technique lesson.

AT can offer the student ease, poise, access to breathe control, freedom, and a pathway to a deeper place within themselves. This is essential to having more enlightened opportunities. The way you do anything is the way you do everything.

Who can benefit from AT & What are the benefits of AT?

The Alexander Technique can enhance personal performance across the whole spectrum of human activity. It is possible for anyone to rediscover freedom and ease in movement. You will feel lighter, taller, calmer, and more confident. You will learn that there are many ways your body can support you throughout your life.

The technique can be applied to any physical or mental activity.

Benefits Include:

Improved Posture, Breathing, and Balance

Improved ability to handle/notice/and support stress, anxiety, and depression.

Pain Relief from Neck, back, joint, and other musculoskeletal tension:

Alexander Technique can teach you how to:

• sit comfortably upright without strain

• prevent spinal compression and muscular tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back

• improve the range of motion in the joints

• reduce pressure to relieve stress on joints and prevent injury

• become more aware of your body's signals and signs of distress so you can relieve tension before it escalates to pain

• breathe properly to prevent fatigue and calm the nervous system

• restore balance to your body

Skill Enhancement :

Athletes – amateur and professional - use the Technique to improve strength, increase endurance, enhance flexibility and increase speed and accuracy of responsiveness. Public speakers use it to improve vocal projection and overall voice quality.

Business professionals find it enhances presentation skills and increases confidence.

Performing artists use the Alexander Technique as an invaluable resource throughout all phases of the creative process, from conception through performance. Universities, conservatories, orchestras, theater companies, and performing arts festivals worldwide offer the Alexander Technique as integral to performing arts curricula and skill development. Renowned performers who have studied the Alexander Technique include Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ben Kingsley, Julie Andrews, William Hurt, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Paul McCartney, Kelly McGillis, Lupita Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hilary Swank, Annette Bening, Patti Lupone, Paul Newman, Sting, Maggie Smith, Mary Steenburgen, Robin Williams, Joanne Woodward, and Trisha Brown.