This article is designed to put to rest some fears prospective students may have if they haven’t heard first hand experiences of the technique. To help understand Alexander Technique, it may be useful to know that it does not involve the following:

Back cracking manipulation
The teacher’s hands suggest certain attitudes by a very subtle touch. Gross manipulation is not used. With the high quality input the teacher’s hands offer, the student’s body is enabled to achieve its own natural co-ordination.

Passive therapy
With Alexander Technique, the pupil is actively engaged in the therapy. The teacher won’t “fix” a student’s problems, but educate them as to how they can co-ordinate themselves effectively to achieve optimum health and performance.

Direct
Many student’s come with a particular issue. The teacher’s approach is often to improve the co-ordination of the whole body and mind of the pupil. This integrates and gives support to the area in issue and means the student has a practical method of dealing with the issue himself.

Relaxation
Although pleasurable, Alexander Technique is not something you “bliss out” in. A teacher often asks of a pupil to release excessive tension, however this usually demands an increase in tone in another area. The teacher is more concerned with giving the student the tools to balance tension in everyday life and increase efficiency.

Exercise
With co-ordinated movement in daily activities, the body will require a balanced level of tone. Alexander lessons teach how to gain and maintain this co-ordination. The teacher may set tasks or give the student things to think about, but will not necessarily prescribe exercise. It is of more interest to the teacher how the pupil does their exercise.

Inexplicable
The Alexander Technique has very clear scientific principles. There is nothing supernatural about it. By following the practical procedures the teacher gives their pupil, it is easily accessible to anyone wiling to try it.

Fringe
Alexander technique is recognised by the mainstream medical profession, and is becoming increasingly so. It has been established internationally for over 65 years. It is widely known and taught in professional institutions in areas of dance, drama, music, athletics and sports. Many renowned individuals advocate the technique and articles can be found in many leading publications.

If there is anything else you’d like to be reassured is not Alexander Technique, please contact the studio, and we will address it in another post.