What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander technique is a unique method of mind-body reeducation which restores proper functioning to the body. The technique teaches students to use their bodies in a healthier, more coordinated way, preventing pain and injury. The Alexander technique was started by F.M. Alexander (1869-1955, Tasmania) and is recognized worldwide for its health benefits. Alexander developed the technique to address the loss of his voice from misuse that threatened his voice acting career. He found he had a tendency to pull his head back and down, compressing the spine, and causing the limbs to contract in towards the body. This not only negatively impacted his voice, but the rest of his daily functioning.
Alexander discovered an inner relationship between the head, neck and back that was responsible for coordinating the whole body, and called this the ‘primary control’. When this is functioning well it brings about an ideal functioning throughout the rest of the body. Although this relationship is natural and innate, over time, harmful habits can accumulate and interfere with healthy functioning. Students learn to identify and and begin to break these mostly unconscious habits so that a new and improved coordination can reassert itself. Alexander discovered that when he began to modify his habitual misuse of his body, he could replace the destructive habits with a consciously directed and improved use, enabling the voice, as well as the rest of his body, to work freely.
What are Alexander Technique lessons like?
Guided by the teacher’s hands, students learn to direct themselves to prevent faulty use of the self. They learn to identify and change harmful habits of movement and functioning. It is necessary for the student to be given the kinesthetic experience through the teacher’s touch, because the body’s sensory perception needs to be re-educated. The body knows its normal state of functioning as what is ‘right’ and a new coordination is bound to feel ‘wrong’. How many lessons one needs in order to integrate the technique into daily life varies depending on the individual. I can give you an opinion on that during the first session.
It is important to note that the Alexander technique is not a therapy (although therapeutic benefits can and do arise), but a system of education involving mutual effort between the teacher and pupil. A helpful analogy is that if something is wrong with your car, you would take it to a mechanic to be looked at, not a driving instructor. A doctor could be likened to a mechanic, whereas an Alexander teacher is much like a driving instructor who can show you how to drive in a way that prevents certain problems from occurring, e.g. driving with the brake pedal on, which is not unlike carrying excess/misplaced tensions throughout the body.
Who is it for?
The Alexander technique is useful for those in professions with a risk of repetitive strain injuries, such as musicians, typists, or people who spend prolonged periods in front of computers, etc. It is also helpful to those whose professions often lead to back pain, for example, dentists, mechanics, paramedics, and those who do manual labour. Through a reawakening of the correct muscular co-ordination and inhibition of the faulty movement patterns, optimal functioning can be restored. Musicians in particular tend to seek out the Alexander technique in order to learn to play without pain, and prolong their careers. This is how I came to the work, as a pianist and vocalist. Although it is often through trying to solve a physical problem that people discover the Alexander technique, it is also helpful to anyone who wants to improve their functioning and prevent injury.
My journey to the Alexander Technique
I came to the Alexander Technique because of a musician’s injury that left me wondering if I would ever be able to play piano professionally again. The medical help I sought addressed the pain, but I was looking for a deeper solution to prevent myself from re-creating the problem. I began lessons with Tanya Bénard and started to see improvements in my condition very quickly. Although I initially took lessons looking for pain relief, I began to notice a dramatic change in my whole self. Most notably, my performance anxiety was significantly lessened from being debilitating to being almost nonexistent, and my quality of attention and clarity of mind improved. I knew that Alexander Technique would become a lifelong practice of mine, so I completed the CanSTAT 1600 hour certification under Elaine Kopman and Howard Bockner. Now I am seeking to pass along these benefits to my students. I am accepting all ages.
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