What can people expect from Alexander Technique lessons?

Aug 30
2009

While the Alexander Technique is more often misunderstood as a means to improve posture it is actually much deeper then that. Yes, one’s posture will often improve but that is a result of learning the technique. This technique addresses the ‘Self’.  Who is the one standing anyway?  There is more information on that in other articles on this blog. Take a look around and enjoy.  Your comments are welcome!  In the meantime here is a short list of experiences that people often have after having some lessons:

People can expect to feel:

Taller
Lighter
Grounded
Liberated
Connected
A sense of relationship

Improvements are noted in:

Coordination
Eyesight
Listening ability
High blood Pressure
Posture
Voice resonance
Breathing
Depth of sleep
Overall cheerfulness
Mental alertness
Resilience against outside pressures
Refined skills in the playing of a musical instrument

People can expect to:

-Have verbal and sensitive hands-on guidance
-Feel supported towards desired changes in patterns of movement and perception
-Experience the indivisible nature of mind and body
-Learn skills to reduce physical, emotional, and mental tension and fatigue, whether carried over from the past or over concerns for the future
-Have ‘experiential learning’ and understanding
-Experience a new inner pacing

From the ATI website:

Olympic level athletes have similarly used the Technique to improve their performance as have leading golfers and business people. Medical studies have shown the Technique to be as effective in lowering blood pressure as the normally prescribed beta-blocking drugs. Other studies have shown significant improvement in respiratory function.

The common factor in all these aspects of life is that how we are using ourselves – the way we do things – affects the results we get. The Alexander Technique is a means of improving that use. It has been called a “pre-technique” which people can apply to furthering their own special skills and activities.. It is also essentially a preventative technique with which we can learn to improve and maintain our health.

The individual is the focus of the Alexander Technique. We are all unique, with different bodies, different experiences and different problems. We go about the process of change in different ways and at different rates. For these reasons what happens in a lesson depends very much on the needs of the student at the time. But basically you will learn an attitude of not trying to gain your ends at any cost and at the same time how to prevent your present harmful habits that cause unnecessary stress and restrict your capabilities.

Obviously, since what you are changing are patterns built up over many years, a permanent change will not be brought about overnight. However, the person who learns to stop and take time, to think constructively about how he/she uses him/herself in everyday life will find that this simple procedure can have far reaching results.

Although the Alexander Technique has therapeutic value, the effects are not brought about by treatment or manipulation.  Your own learning process will bring about an increased awareness of the freedom to change. Further information about the Alexander Technique is best gained from a teacher near you as your changing experiences through lessons are the only real way to understand what is possible.

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