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It's all in the Technique Discover what the Alexander Technique could do for your health and well-being. Our health expert looks at this popular therapeutic method. by Kostas Tselios Frederick Matthias Alexander was born in Tasmania in 1869 and he pursued a career as an actor in Australia. By the 1890s he had to abandon his career after he lost his voice while performing. The doctors diagnosed inflamed vocal chords but they couldn't see the reason for this, and they could not suggest any effective treatment. This worrying condition obviously caused him great concern, and he feared abandoning the career he loved, but it eventually led to the development of the Alexander Technique. Alexander set out to find the cause of the problem by observing himself in a mirror while he was talking. By doing so he noticed that, while he was performing, he sucked in air and pulled his head down, depressing his larynx (voice box), shortening his spine, narrowing his back and drawing in his breath. As a result of these observations, he realised that the way he moved was impairing his body's functioning. This led him to conduct extensive research and he developed some important principles regarding mind/body co-ordination. He also managed to improve his overall health as well as his voice problem. By 1904 Alexander had moved to London and had introduced his amazing method to the British public. His reputation soon grew and many artists have since been converted to his technique, including John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Penelope Keith, Michael Palin and many others.
Body/Mind Relation The Alexander Technique maintains that posture affects the way we breathe. With a good posture and proper breathing, we become calmer and problems such as anger, frustration and anxiety can be reduced. This, of course can be seen in many other practices such as yoga and the breathing technique known as pranayama. It can also be seen in tai chi, where breathing has to be fully harmonised with movement. One of the main parts of the Alexander Technique is learning how to let go of tension. By releasing physical and muscular tension, we not only improve our balance and co-ordination but also consciously control our stress levels. Alexander looked at the relationship between the head, neck and back. He noticed that when our muscles are habitually over-tightened, our body becomes distorted, unbalanced and compressed. The aim of the Alexander Technique is to cultivate awareness so that we can improve our posture, including carriage and balance. The Alexander Technique recognises that each person functions as a fully integrated psychological (sic) unit.
Who can benefit? These include: back pain, stress and anxiety, head, neck and shoulder pain, migraine and headaches, poor breathing and asthma, trapped nerves and sciatica, joint problems, stroke rehabilitation, recovery from spinal injury and whiplash, sport co-ordination and balance, pregnancy and preparation for childbirth and the alleviation of chronic pain or disability.
My experience I arranged to meet Alexander Technique practitioner Fiona Le Vien, a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, qualified since 1997. To start with she asked a few questions about my lifestyle, including dietary preferences and whether I had any particular health problems. She then asked me to sit in a chair without resting my back on it. Then she started to instruct me verbally and showed me how to readjust my entire body. Starting with my head, neck and spine, she moved on to the rest of my body. Described as a hands-on technique, this was very different to what I was expecting. She didn't give any form of massage or manipulate my body in an invasive way. Instead she proceeded in a subtle manner, holding my arms and legs and combining this with verbal instructions. I sat in a position which extended my spine, which was followed by her instructing me how to breathe. I had the feeling of my body becoming more co-ordinated and at the same time lighter. Sitting and standing up a few times, following her instructions, I was amazed how she was able to detect any tension in my body and how well she helped me to release this and relax. Next, I lay on a bed with my knees bent to face the ceiling and my head supported by a few books. Again, as I began to feel more conscious of my body, I realised I was discovering new ways of moving. After the session I was overwhelmed with a great sense of well-being and lightness.
Help with back pain Students of the technique are advised to lie daily in the semi-supine position to relieve the back, to flex the knees when bending down, and to use a support for the lower back when sitting. It is also advisable to sit fairly upright, even on a sofa, and to avoid slouching. Relearning how to use your body is not an overnight process, but when students persist with it they make deep changes that last.
Things to remember The Alexander Technique works well alongside orthodox medicine and, as GPs are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits, they are increasingly referring patients for this treatment. Remember to tell your practitioner if you have any chronic condition and if you have problems such as back pain. It may also be worth talking to your GP first. During the treatment you should wear ordinary loose-fitting clothes that do not restrict movement.
Find a teacher Fiona Le Vien is a STAT member and she has taught at the Brighton AT training school, Benenden School and in clinics in the South East. To book an AT lesson with her please phone 020 8405 3274 |