ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
“And the time came when the risk to remain tightin a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
–Anaïs Nin
What is it?
The Alexander Technique (AT) is an awareness practice concerned with exploring how we inhabit our bodies. We uncover physical and mental habits that affect how we “use” our bodies and how we “posture” in life. Through myo-fascial release and re-educating structural patterns we touch back into our innate birthright design. What emerges is a natural poise, ease, presence, a sense of lightness. We become more comfortable in our body during our activities and even in our thinking. It’s a fascinating process of rediscovery.
What is a session like?
When you arrive, you tell me a little about yourself and what’s going on. Then, I’ll start the hands-on work. I listen to what your system tells me. I may ask for your feedback and you can give me feedback or ask questions. We begin to have a dialogue listening with our non-verbal kinesthetic awareness as muscles and fascia release, joints begin to move more freely, or your mind becomes quieter. We might work while standing up, sitting down, or while you’re lying on the table (you remain fully clothed). We might take it into an activity such as writing, working on a computer, playing an instrument, or driving a car. Curiosity is cultivated as your neuro-muscular-skeletal-soulful-mindful human being-ness responds.
My goal is to help free your body of excess tension so that you experience more integration and support. You become more in tune with the natural intelligence of your body. There is more ease and less effort. I will provide you with tips on how to tap into more of that goodness during your daily life. I will suggest ways you can explore the work between lessons. I’m an anatomy nerd so I teach you something about that, too.
One final note.
The Technique supports you to explore new ways to inhabit your body. You discover other choices are available that will help you feel better as you go about doing what you want to do in your life. Amazing things happen including one of the most well-loved benefits of all — you stand taller.
Though one or two sessions can be useful, having a series of lessons over a period of time generally results in more lasting benefits. My studio is in my home In Lincoln, MA.
Why try it?
Reasons to try AT might be to:
relieve pain and tension
improve posture
relieve headaches and TMJ syndrome
feel more comfortable in your body
improve performance whether it’s playing an instrument, acting, singing, playing sport, public speaking
find more ease in daily activities such as chopping vegetables or working at your computer
relieve fatigue
regulate anxiety or depression
lessen pain from conditions such as arthritis or repetitive strain injuries
try something new because nothing else has helped your problem