If you are looking for a very specialized treatment to help you with chronic pain, muscular tension or movement problems you might want to book a session with a professional trained in the Alexander Technique. This theraputic discipline can be taught privately or as part of a group class. Your instructor can help you to unlearn movement patterns that may be causing your discomfort. The advice you will receive during your session will be tailored to your unique needs and abilities.
Introduction
The Alexander Technique is named after its founder Frederick Matthias Alexander. During the early 1900s Alexander was an actor who developed chronic laryngitis while performing. Determined to heal himself, he began to study his movements while speaking. Through self observation he became aware of the tension that was occurring in his throat and found that it was deterring his ability to speak. Over the course of nine years, he developed a technique to help reduce this muscular tension and change the way he used his body when he spoke. The goal was to teach himself how to move with ease and use his body as a whole unit, in order to restore function and reduce muscular strain.
Principals
Advocates of the Alexander Technique believe that throughout life we begin to move in habitual ways. With time, our movements become very restrictive and repetitive. The Alexander Technique teaches that there is a relationship between the head, neck and torso and that these are the primary areas that control all movement and postural habits. As our movements become more restricted our bodies no longer move in a fluid and relaxed manner. As this occurs we develop areas of tightness and tension that can lead to chronic pain and a loss of function.
Features
During a session the instructor will use a light touch to examine how you are moving. It is different from formal programs of exercise, such as yoga or Pilates, in that there are no exercises to do. With the help of your instructor you will go through daily activities---working at a computer, doing housework, etc.---while learning to release tension and move with more awareness. At times the instructor's touch is so light you may not feel anything at all. However, this gentle approach allows your muscles to relax and respond naturally.
Benefits
Research has shown it to be beneficial for many conditions. (Visit the Alexander Technique's official website, see Resources.) It can help to relieve chronic back, neck, shoulder and joint pain, relieve the symptoms of arthritis, asthma, migraine headaches and insomnia. In addition, the Alexander Technique can help you to manage depression, improve self esteem and reduce stress.
It can be taught to anyone, from the disabled to the competitive athlete. To get the most benefit, commit to a series of successive lessons that meet once per week, for three to five months or longer, depending on your needs. Since the Alexander Technique is not a form of treatment it is not usually covered by insurance
Instructor Training
Becoming certified to teach the Alexander Technique usually takes three to four years. There are books to read, individual lessons to take along with practical experience working with individuals. It is a very intensive and thorough training to help potential teachers learn to recognize and correct postural misalignment. They first learn to do this in their own bodies and then move on to learning to teach the technique to others. Instructors learn coaching skills to help guide their students into moving with more ease and awareness.
Member Comments