Alexander Technique
Use your Brain

Teachers of the Alexander Technique (AT) beleive the key to good posture is in the brain. Forget diagrams and difficult back-stretching exercises - in AT you just "think" your way to better posture. "The brain controls your body, so you have the ability to consciously control your behaviour and bodily movements" says AT practitioner Noël Kingsley, whose clients include celebrities and performers. By simply thinking "loose" and "tall" your posture will improve. The emphasis is not on strengthening muscles, but on realeasing muscle tension and gently encouraging the body into its natural posture with small movements.

Most people leave their first AT session already feeling looser and calmer, and homework is as simple as lying on the floor for 15 minutes every night, or slowing your movements down so you have time to think before you act, rather than moving out of habit. Kingsley says: "in order to change, we need to bring our awareness to ourselves so that we can take conscious control and make a decision on how we do everyday things. Our habits are all on automatic and will continue to affect us negatively unless we intervene."

Your instant posture plan

• Think "loose" and "tall" and "broad". All movements start from the brain, so make sure you send the right signals to your muscles.
• Let your head roll forwards a little on the top of your spine, at the height between your ears, by dropping your nose a few millimetres. Avoid tucking in your chin - allow your head to teeter like a child's. Then think about it travelling forwards and upwards.
• Don't look downwards when walking.
• Keep bags as light as possible and use a backpack or shoulder bag with a long strap worn across the body.
• Loosen your neck by moving your head around as often as you can throughout the day.
• To relieve and aching back, lie on the floor with you feet flat and your knees bent. Rest your head on a couple of paperback books for 5 to 15 minutes every day.

Noël Kingsley's website is packed with AT advice (see www.alexander-technique.com). For and AT teacher contact the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique on 0845 239 7828 or at www.stat.org.uk