Alexander Technique during lockdown

FM Alexander named one of his books ‘The Universal Constant in Living’. It seems he hit upon something fundamental that transcends time and place - Alexander Technique is just as relevant and profound in our current unprecedented situation as it was in his era. This article considers some applications of Alexander Technique while we are in ‘lockdown’.


When FM Alexander wrote about ‘the universal constant’, what he was referring to was the relationship of ‘use’ to ‘functioning’. What he meant was that the way we do things affects how well things work. More specifically, they way we move and coordinate ourselves affects how comfortable, sustainable and effective our action can be. That even applies to sitting at a computer - the way you sit will affect comfort and ultimately, efficiency.

With all our interpersonal interaction happening via screens for the time being, and so many people forced into working from home, we are all faced with another pandemic: screen time. It has infected all of us and carries some nasty potential side effects! Your self-awareness and skill in directing will be invaluable to manage the extended hours of computer use we are indefinitely facing.

The home office may not be resourced as well as the usual office, so there may need to be some creative solutions to finding a good support for your set-up. Fortunately, no-one need know how you are managing your seat and you can use whatever props are on hand. A good ergonomic is one that helps you engage your own postural support. It ay be best if it does not do all the supporting for you, neither leave you feeling unsupported. Have a look at the office chair article elsewhere on this blog.

One great advantage of working from home is you can move around as much as you like. The body objects to being held still and long hours at computers carry high risk of getting stiff. However, small or large movements in your chair, under your chair or around you chair can help keep a subtle dynamism, even while at the screen.

You also may find the home office enables more regular breaks. Break apps can help remind you to take your hands off the keyboard and your eyes off the screen, for example, at least once every three minutes, and to get out of you chair and move around once every 25 minutes. In your break times, you can keep thinking about your work, but let it be background while you give yourself a little time to prioritise your well-being.

Online communication platforms have suddenly become the place where we meet others. You can see the way that your colleagues have set up their home offices and how well they may be using whatever ergonomics they have at hand. You also have your own image which can be a reminder to attend to your own poise, and is a useful feedback to see how the directions you are giving yourself are manifesting visually.

These times are so full of uncertainty that it highlights a core Alexander Technique challenge: how to meet the unknown with positive coordination. ‘Not-knowing’ is a key trigger for the human fear reflex and the rapidly changing flux of our lives at this time is causing all sorts of stress. Notice anxiety when it arises and notice where it arises. Often, we know we are anxious through a host of physical sensations. Alexander Technique is very good a managing and modifying patterns of tension! Using Alexander Technique may be one positive and certain practice we can retain in these fluid and challenging times.