What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is method that teaches self-prevention of harmful habits that can interfere with our optimal health on mental and physical levels. These teachings help people function as integrated beings. Learning to control the "too quick and unthinking" type of reactions, while maintaining a sense of awareness, openness, and balance in our daily activities can have amazing effects upon our daily lives. This technique is taught individually or in groups through specialized manual and verbal techniques performed by teachers who's lessons are based on principles developed by F. Matthias Alexander in the late 1800's.

The Alexander Technique Benefits

The Alexander Technique is a proven method of self-care that teaches people how to relieve the pain and stress that results from daily misuse of the body. It is suitable for people if all ages, sizes, and abilities.

With the Alexander Technique you learn:

How to un-learn movement and tensions patterns that cause your pain and discomfort.
How to find balance in your body and create a healthy life.
How to sit, stand, and move safely and efficiently.
The fundamental improvement in the reliability of sensory appreciation/feedback that occurs with Alexander Technique lessons can have positive, significant effects on a wide range of behaviors and skills, including the ability to learn.

The Alexander Technique improves the relationship between people and their bodies and can have significant positive effects on a wide variety of skills and behavior patterns. It has also been known to improve one's ability to learn.

The Technique can be very beneficial for dealing with excessive stress, chronic pain, and injuries.

Other benefits include:

More comfortable and liberated sense of movement.
Relief from excess tension, strain, and chronic pain.
More balanced and proper sense of posture.
Healthier breathing patterns.
Increased energy and vitality.
And most importantly, the development of skills used to change unhealthy habits
The Alexander Technique is also used by artists to enhance their techniques and performances.

Learning the Alexander Technique

The teachers of The Alexander Technique are professionally trained in the art of observation and expert guidance. They lead students through learning processes tailored to each person's needs. Over the course of a few sessions, teachers help students restore their body's original poise resulting in a release of chronic muscular tension. As students learn to address the entire body they learn to improve overall functioning.

Widely recognized artists including actors, musicians and athletes have used The Technique for over a century to enhance their performance and public presence.

What happens in a session?

During an Alexander Technique session, teachers observe how each person moves and helps them understand how their movement habits cause their symptoms. They instruct students with words and touch and teach a healthier, more balanced kind of movement.

Using their unique hands-on methods they cause a change in your normal physical state, which gives you the experience of dynamic expansion. With this guidance, students learn how to replicate that expansion themselves and incorporate it into their daily lives. This powerful change gives the body a highly improved sense of coordination.

Can I learn the Technique on my own?

Habits are unconscious actions. Though you may attempt to create these changes on our own, it takes the trained eyes and skillful hands of a teacher to help you realize and create change your ingrained habits. With a refined sense of observation and habit correction, teachers can help you notice your patterns of tension and teach your to experience your body in a whole new way.

How long does it take? What does it cost?

The duration of study largely depends on your initial condition and your personal goals. To experience the full benefit of The Alexander Technique, 30 private sessions is a recommended course. Lessons are generally 30-45 minutes and rates vary depending on the teacher.