A Shift In Well-being & Performance

The Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique teaches how to use our bodies more mindfully and efficiently – in keeping with our inherent design – with less tension, greater ease, and a wonderful freedom of movement.

How Does the Alexander Technique Work?

Have you ever wondered how young children move with such a remarkable sense of unconstrained natural agility and effortless fluidity, and why that ability seems to diminish as we grow into adulthood?

Due in part to their still-developing musculoskeletal systems and the absence of inhibitions, children’s curiosity-driven exploration of the world around them keeps them moving, aware, alert, and active.

As we grow from childhood into adulthood, that wonderful experience of freedom and ease of movement can change, possibly due to a combination of physical, psychological, emotional, and societal factors.

Small children are not terribly busy, and they spend a lot of time watching their adults, learning their ways, observing how they function – how they move, and how they respond to the stimulus of life. In our technological times, not only do children learn how to be and act in life by observing the adults and young people around them, they also learn from what they observe on screen – television, tablet and mobile phones – whether these figures are real or animated.

For example, imagine a young child who watches the football players run up and down the oval. They want to run as fast as their favourite player, so they naturally try to do what they see the player doing.

However, in attempting to mimic what they think they’ve seen, they end up doing something that, in reality, is slowing them down. Yet, convinced it is working and that they are running faster, they naturally keep running that way.

Growing up, this idea of how to run fast prevails, and although they may not remember how or why they adopted this ‘technique’, it’s now ingrained and has become part of their habitual way of running.

Habits

Many of our habits of movement and posture are unconscious, having been ingrained over time. A key part of learning the Alexander Technique teaches how to become aware of these habits, and how to stop them from automatically kicking in. You learn to release unnecessary tension that often accompanies the habit, which allows for a more efficient and easeful way of thinking, acting, and moving.

As you discover more about how you are designed to move, you discover the pleasure and ease of bringing the simple skill of a new conscious control and direction to your everyday life. You experience improved coordination, posture, and overall well-being. The technique emphasises principles such as awareness, inhibition (the ability to pause and choose a different response), and direction (sending conscious directions to the body for more efficient movement).

In essence, the Alexander Technique encourages us to become more mindful of our habits and offers tools to help us make conscious choices about how we move and use our ‘selves’.

Health & Well-being

Elevating Overall Wellness

Scientific tests and evidence-based results show that the Alexander Technique can aid in the management of chronic pain, back and neck pain, stress and anxiety, and conditions such as Hypermobility disorders, and Parkinson’s Disease.

Students of the technique also report benefits with:

occupational overuse injuries
stress and tension-related issues
sleep problems
breathing and voice problems
posture issues
recovery from injury
hypermobility-related issues

Natural Strength

Build strength organically and safely

The Alexander Technique works by integrating the whole body in each movement, improving alignment, balance, and coordination to achieve optimal strength and agility. Watch this video to see how the cheetah, fastest creature on earth, uses every part of itself – including the hairs on its belly, and the very tip of its tail – as it runs towards its prey. Watch this video on the Alexander Technique in Sports Unlocking Your Potential.

Performance

Every day, in everything you do

Musicians rely on fine control of their hands and fingers, using them in very specific ways.

The Alexander Technique improves performance by refining posture, coordination, and body mechanics. It reduces tension, enhancing ease and control for peak performance in various activities.

It fosters self-awareness, empowering individuals to address habits and reactions for improved technique and consistency.

Additionally, it promotes calmness and focus, aiding in managing performance anxiety and delivering one’s best.

How Can I Learn The Alexander Technique

PRIVATE LESSONS

The technique can be learned in one-on-one lessons with a certified Alexander Teacher.

In each lesson, the teacher will help you discover your own habitual, automatic ways of executing these activities, and learn how to stop, or inhibit, these habits.

You will deepen your knowledge and understanding of functional anatomy which provides insights into the interplay between the structure and function of the human body.

And most wonderfully, you will begin to discover a new level of freedom and vitality in everything you do.

GROUP CLASSES

Group classes are a fun and fabulous way to learn the Alexander Technique. In these settings, while still enjoying personal attention, there’s the added benefit of observing others as they learn, which can contribute to your own learning journey.

Additionally, group settings often provide a supportive environment where participants can share experiences and insights, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

WORKSHOPS

Workshops are structured to provide a more in-depth look at a particular topic of interest, or to address a specific group of people.

These are generally run as 1-day sessions, and may be tailored to fit organisational, community, or task-specific issues such as performers, desk workers, and people with hypermobility conditions.