The Alexander Technique is a practical, commonsense way to ‘do things more easily’, whether that’s playing a musical instrument, doing the housework or running a marathon or simply managing chronic pain. It is appropriate for all ages. Quality and efficiency of activities depends on health and co-ordination. It is essential to avoid interfering with the body in the effort to achieve.
During the course of living life, habits can develop around routine activities. As time goes by their repetitive and subconscious nature can start to cause problems. The response to this is often to practice the habit more intensely, believing the problem can be solved with more hard work. After some years of this behaviour the body may become tightened, knotted and shortened, causing considerable distress.
Mr Alexander recognised that by doing more, harder doesn’t work, and he explored the whole idea of doing less, of simply stopping behaving in any way which constrained the natural flow of movement.
Young children are beautiful examples of this balance and easy movement. It is possible to relearn this natural co-ordination for ourselves. Its a quality that may be experienced in infinite ways, depending on the history of the individual. It offers the possibility of more choice and more autonomy.
