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Alexander technique
The Alexander technique is a method of getting rid of tension in the body.
The Alexander technique aims to use only the appropriate amount of effort for
an activity, therefore allowing more energy for other more fun endeavors. In
essence the Alexander technique is a re-education of the mind and body.
Created by F.M. Alexander (1869-1955), an Australian teacher and actor, the
Alexander technique was developed as a method for learning how to consciously
change habits of co-ordination which include: Movement, posture, breathing and
tension.
The Alexander technique has demonstrated that the difficulties many people
experience in learning; in control of performance; and in physical functioning
are caused by unconscious habits. These unconscious habits interfere with a
person’s natural poise and their capacity to learn. When you stop interfering
with the natural coordination of the body, you can take on more complex activities
with greater self-confidence and presence of mind.
Bad habits can be the root cause of problems, which manifest as, for instance,
backache, stiffness, tension or stress.
The Alexander Technique can be taught through a series of one-to-one sessions
over a period of months and places a great deal of emphasis on the relationship
between your head and neck.
The way we manage the head and neck relationship has huge implications for
the way the rest of our body is organized. If we compress our heads down into
our spines, a whole series of compensatory tensions are created. Learning to
allow our head to balance lightly on top of our spine causes our built in anti-gravity
reflex to be activated and our body is encouraged to release previously held
restrictions, releasing stress and tension.
A typical Alexander Technique lesson may involve making a simple movement;
for example a walk across the room or to sit and stand. By then using his or
her hands the instructor can bring about a slight change in the way you are
holding yourself and guide you into the same movement, leading to a feeling
of lightness, release of tension or expansion. Observed from the outside it
may seem that little is happening, but the significant changes are the ones
experienced internally by each person and include a sense of calm and well-being,
the feeling of integration and the decrease of tension.
Sessions are repeated at frequent intervals. In time the focus of the session
will move towards other activities and all the usual bodily movements (bending,
carrying things etc). Twenty-five lessons are needed for the Alexander technique
to produce results of long lasting value. The Alexander technique is a great
application in preventative care and education, teaching you how to enjoy positive
health and vitality.
The Alexander Technique doesn’t just improve your physical health but also
your outlook and personality. It is a great enhancer of mental and emotional
well-being.
Excess tension in the body can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms that
can interfere with your ability to perform activities well. Most people use
the Alexander Technique because they are in pain (backaches, sore necks and
shoulders, carpal tunnel syndrome etc.) and/or because they are performers who
want to improve the quality of their singing, playing, acting or dancing. The
Alexander technique has an especially close connection to the performing arts
because of this reason.
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