The Alexander Technique was developed at the end of the 19th century by a young Australian actor named Frederick Matthias Alexander. His original goal was simply to improve the stamina of his own voice – he would suffer from increasing hoarseness each time that he performed.
With doctors unable to offer any help, Alexander spent time studying himself to determine if he could affect the situation. He became aware that he was holding excess tension in his body and that by changing the way in which he moved and carried himself the tension was alleviated.
As well as solving the issue he had with his voice, Alexander’s overall health improved so greatly that people he knew, and doctors that had been unable to help him, convinced him to teach others what he had learnt.
Alexander Technique is most often associated with helping with posture, but it can also be effective in relieving emotional issues, stress and anxiety as well.
Christine Birtwistle has been a full-time Alexander Technique teacher for over twenty years and offers lessons on a one-to-one basis that are available every Thursday at Creative Health Centre.
From ‘The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique’ website:
“The Alexander Technique teaches the skilful ‘use of the self’: how we move, how we stay still, how we breathe, how we learn, how we organise our awareness and focus of attention and, above all, how we choose our reactions in increasingly demanding situations.”
“It is a subtle and thoughtful discipline, but essentially practical and problem-solving. The Alexander Technique works through re-establishing the natural relationship between the head, the neck and the back – the ‘core’ of the body that supports the strength of the limbs and which provides the structural environment for breathing and for the internal organs.”
For more information
Visit The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique website at www.stat.org.uk and have a look at the video below.