"People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures."
F.M. Alexander, creator of Alexander Technique
Introduction to Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique (AT) is a hands-on process with verbal coaching from an AT teacher to investigate and discover postural habits in rest and movement. Alexander Technique teachers help students identify poor postural habits, unnecessary muscular tensions, and inefficiencies in movement. With the help of an AT teacher, students discover new ways to approach movement and rest and develop new habits of ease in movement and muscular tension.
These lessons can lead to improvement in:
postural alignment
sports performance
dance & theater
body aches
balance
musical performance
daily tasks
body tension
Medically & scientifically proven to help with:
back pain
frozen shoulder
chronic neck pain
jaw pain
headaches
repetitive stress injury
What is a Typical Lesson?
Alexander Technique teachers use everyday activities in a lesson. They use sitting in chairs, standing, and moving from standing to sitting and vice versa. They help students develop postural muscles to support the body, giving voluntary muscles an opportunity to let go and release tension. Teachers help students understand how their bodies move, how to connect to the ground through their feet, and how to embrace gravity.
​
Alexander Technique teachers use a table for a fully clothed lie down. The lie down part of the lesson helps students develop an awareness of their joints (bendy parts) and the 3-dimensional aspect of their body. This semi supine table work also allows students to use gravity to establish a healthy and flexible spine and neck. Subsequently, students experience muscle tension release and increased body awareness (proprioception).
​
Working with the breath is a very important aspect of the Alexander Technique. Teachers start with students investigating breath holding habits and misuse. Using gentle directions, AT teachers help students develop an awareness of the breath and promote ease and release with breathing.