The Alexander Technique
Besides the positive attributes we possess, we have habits. Our habits of movement and “pre-movement” (posture) can cause back and neck pain, lack of energy, and, ultimately, many other ailments. These habits generally begin forming at an early age. The Alexander Technique can help.The Alexander Technique is a method of reeducating our bodies (ourselves) to move with more freedom and coordination and without harmful tension. It is more a discipline than a therapy, but can feel very therapeutic during and following a lesson.
The primary importance of the head, neck and back relationship to directing movement was one of F. M. Alexander’s most basic discoveries. Lessons to uncover this relationship, along with practice in inhibiting harmful and habitual tensions, can bring greater ease.
The article I have written and made available here, “Where is the Alexander Technique’s ‘right brain’? or Use and the use of imagery,” explains where I think that the two approaches are parallel.
I do suggest some explanation of basic Alexander Technique principles below, using illustration and metaphor. For much more on these concepts, see the links at the bottom of this page.
Compared to many other creatures, humans seem to have a poor sense of body and where our body parts are, in space and relation to each other. F.M. Alexander had a charming name for the problem—debauched kinesthesia. Varieties of postures and pains, caused by posture, abound. This character, above and to the left, due to longstanding dysfunctional habits of support, probably thinks that he is standing normally. As a result, he would initially consider postural changes that may in fact be more appropriate—more balanced and requiring less effort—out of order. This is a common response to early lessons in the Alexander Technique: they feel good but “wrong.”
The Alexander Technique teaches that the most basic tool for overcoming problems caused by habitual misuse of our structure, muscles, and in fact, all of our controllable faculties, is to learn “inhibition.” As a simple example, inhibition. as the term is used by Alexander teachers, is the sort of thing that ideally occurs before and during the execution of a difficult dive into a swimming pool. The moment before commencing the dive, it is important for the diver to release unnecessary tensions and distractions and to make a mental “request” for these tensions and distractions to stay away from participating in the coming event.
Primary Control is a concept that, like inhibition, can take time to understand. Alexander gave the name, primary control, to the relationship between the head, neck, and the remainder of the body that allows us to stand and move gracefully. A snake, as it slithers, shows the obvious presence of primary control… the head and neck lead, and the body follows. Far too many of us humans have dysfunctional tension and disturbance in the head and neck in relation to the back and the remainder of the body. This prevents the experience of the gracefulness that primary control promotes.
http://www.alexandertechnique.com
A guide to Alexander Technique resources worldwide: finding a teacher, self-study, medical endorsements, books, videos, and interactive resources.
http://www.alexandertech.org
Website for the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). Includes a directory of teaching members, book catalog, workshops, a series of arcticles, and links.
http://www.stat.org.uk
A guide to the Alexander Technique provided by STAT – The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, the oldest and largest professional society of teachers of the Alexander Technique.
http://www.ati-net.com
A worldwide professional organization for practitioners of the F. M. Alexander Technique. Includes a list of all teaching members, a description of the method, and articles.