Thread: Alexander Technique?

I have made an appointment for an Alexander Technique session with a certified instructor next week. I am hoping to find a way to resolve some long term neck and upper back disfunction.

Anyone with Alexander Technique experience want to share?

Sedonia

Hi Sedonia - I did a series of 6 Alexander Technique sessions last year, hoping to solve some ongoing lower back pain problems. Although it didn't completely eradicate the pain, it gave me another way to help me deal with it. I found it a really interesting process - it helped me to look at the way I do everyday actions like sitting down/standing up, how I use my arms to reach for and lift things, and how I walk and move around. I found it really useful, although I have sometimes struggled to find the time to do some of the exercises I was taught ;-)

An unexpected result was that, as a dance teacher who gives private lessons I was in the position of being a student...it gave me an interesting insight into that dynamic.

I would totally recommend it, as a person who is interested in anatomy and posture generally (which I gather from your posts that you are), but I wouldn't necessarily expect it to be a solution to back and neck problems, although I think it *will* probably help with those.

there is also soem great books on every day applications for Alexander work out there. they help with things such as rewiring the brain about how to do thing - if the light switch is on the left hand side. turn it on wiht your left hand, not by crossing over with the right.

A lot of alexander work is not jsutabout alignment but about using less energy in a movement and resistance. it is almost about ergonomics.

I'll find the title of my favorite book. It not only talks avout technique, it has great photos! ;-)

{{{HUGS}}}}

I am also taking an intensive course on Alexander technique. At first, it seemed to have a zero effect (like chi kung that I two years ago started with). But giving it more time I have learned ways to use less energy and if I am using it, to know why and what direction. This is related in sitting, standing...everything I do now. It is turning into a habit. It gives me a better concentration at work when we have long meetings or courses were I have to sit all day and I used to do it wrong. I have found how to sit without feeling tired, and bored even for two long days.

I especially like the personal attention my teacher is giving to my problems.
She asks me to show what is difficult for me. I demonstrate the movement first several times. Then she helps me to "line" it better (to use the technique,
dont know how to call it in english). Then we make it together and usually, always and immediately, I see, how I misused my energy and my body. But it is hard to "off" learn habits. I also use the "active rest" nowadays just to keep calm in every day events.

I have also done Pilates, method putkisto and body logics. I think Alexander technique was easy for me after that background, but the others had a lot of difficulties understanding things in the first class we had together, because there is no motion that a teacher can show, everyone has to work on her own.

Sorry, a long explanation. Don't forget to report how it felt. And think your daily movements in advance, how you really perform them.

I also did five or six Alexander Technique sessions a couple of years ago, not for pain issues but just as part of the ongoing process of trying to un-sway my lower back and keep my shoulders up where they're supposed to be. I also found it was not an instant fix, but gave me a set of concepts and tools for remembering how to adjust myself. I still have a little glass monkey on my desk at work to remind me how to sit in my chair :-)

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I meet with the Alexander Technique teacher wednesday afternoon, and I am very excited.

I have been thinking about where in my daily life things go so wrong, and I have decided that *moving* is not my problem. It's sitting.

I can't sit properly. I am never comfortable no matter how I arrange my work area. Yes, I have made all the ergonomic adjustments in terms of seat height, keyboard height, screen position, etc. I fidget constantly, and it is because some body part is always uncomfortable (strangely, never my lower back though). I cross and uncross my legs, I sit on my feet, I slouch down and stretch my feet under my desk, I pull myself up and try to sit tall, I lean to one side and then the other, I lean forward when I don't need to. And most of all, I tense up my neck and upper back.

Well, I will report back how it goes.

Sedonia

The Alexander technique Manual by Richard Brennan, Copyright 1996

{{{HUGS}}}

I think you are making very valuable observations when thinking about sitting and when listening your comment I feel even more sure that you are really going to benefit from learning the technique. As always, there are also youtube videos available if you want to look in advance for example [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOWmwhxFtJQ&feature=related]YouTube - Alexander Technique-NYC-Mark Josefsberg[/ame]