The Alexander technique is a versatile mind-body discipline that helps people learn to move in a comfortable, natural manner, according to the Victoria, Australia Better Health Channel. Lessons help you become aware of how you move and how your body positions itself when sitting or standing, and its techniques help counteract the effects of our office-bound, low-activity lifestyles.
What It Is
F.M. Alexander, an actor who lived from 1869 to 1955, developed the Alexander technique in response to his own loss of voice while touring Australia and Tasmania. According to the American Society for the Alexander Technique, an Alexander instructor can help identify misalignment of the head, neck and torso and the difficulties in movement this misalignment causes. An instructor can also help individuals become aware of bad movement habits and, through instruction and touch, help find new ways of moving to alleviate the effects of these bad habits.
Benefits
According to the American Society for the Alexander Technique, by changing your movements you can improve your posture, breathing and coordination and respond to stress in a manner that is not harmful to your body. Musicians use the Alexander technique to improve the way they play and sing, and to reduce the potential for repetitive strain injuries, as noted by the Violin Site.
Additionally, research has demonstrated that the Alexander technique can help patients deal with pain and improve mobility. Research published in the December 2008 British Medical Journal demonstrated that Alexander technique lessons combined with exercise provide a low-cost, effective treatment for persistent back pain. In the November 2002 issue of Clinical Rehabilitation, researchers noted that the lessons improve the ability of people with Parkinson's disease to complete the activities of daily living.
Lessons
You can take private lessons, learn in a group setting or attempt to learn the Alexander technique on your own through books and videos. However, the habits that cause poor movement are unconscious and can be difficult to identify and resolve without professional assistance.
Lessons usually last between 30 and 45 minutes, and are scheduled two or three times each week. This frequency helps ensure that you adopt the new habits shown to you by your instructor. Depending upon the severity of your problem, the American Society for the Alexander Technique can recommend a course of up to 30 lessons.
Find Instructors
Alexander technique instructors are located worldwide. To find an instructor or group course in your area, see the Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique, or use the listing of certified teachers of the American Society for the Alexander Technique; both websites are listed in the Resources section.
References
- Victoria, Australia Better Health Channel: Alexander Technique
- American Society for the Alexander Technique: The Alexander Technique
- The Violin Site: Alexander Technique
- British Medical Journal: Alexander Technique Lessons, Exercise, and Massage for Chronic Back Pain
- National Institutes of Health: Trial of the Alexander Technique for Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
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