Alexander Technique
Even the GPs agree:” One to one lessons in Alexander technique with a registered teachers have long term benefits for patients with chronic back pain (BMJ, 2008;337;a884)
WHAT IS THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE?
The Alexander Technique is a way of learning through simple movements facilitated by the teacher how to become aware of ones own body. Our balance, co-ordination, breathing and posture all start to improve and through the practise, we start to minimise the personal injury that we do to ourselves.
FOR EXAMPLE, as we go through our day we exert an enormous amount of effort and tension and are likely to be compressing our spines by just standing or sitting, depending on our vocations. Then when we use more energy in an act of motion we are likely to injure ourselves. By lifting something, reaching up to get something or working extended hours or over doing it at the gym. Essentially these injuries stem from poor use. From not paying attention to how we use our body but mindlessly carrying out the act and then feeling the pain.
EFFICIENT MOVEMENT is essential for people in many diverse jobs but those in health care, musicians, computer operator’s etc, all have a high incident of work related injuries, particularly lower back pain.
Because the Alexander Technique improves our ability to understand ourselves and how we work, it allows us to feel more in control. This can give us greater confidence in ourselves and allow us to stand tall and use the space around us.
WHY DO IT? It can help alleviate conditions associated with tension and poor posture such as, back & neck pain, poor co-ordination, joint & muscle problems, breathing disorders, RSI, rehabilitation after injury or illness, pregnancy, to ENHANCE PERFORMANCE for actors, dancers, sportsmen and musicians.
We now have Joanne Cuthell, a teacher of the Alexander Technique running private lessons and introductory workshops to help you understand what the Alexander Technique is and how it can help you learn to become aware of inappropriate postural habits.