Meeting a deadline can cause tension leading to neck and back problems

You may not realise it, but most of us sit, walk and stand in a way that puts strain on certain areas of the body, especially the neck, shoulders and back.
We slouch, hold our heads to one side, bend forwards from our waists when we walk or slump in front of television.
These patterns become part of us and can be very difficult to alter. Eventually they can result in a variety of problems, including back problems, neck and shoulder tightness, sciatica, and headaches.
One way of eliminating these unconscious bad habits and therefore the aliment is to apply the principles of the Alexander Technique back to top

Children naturally have good posture as they have not yet developed bad habits

The Alexander Technique is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, flexibility and co-ordination. Its approach tackles the common root of the symptoms of stress - our bodies and what we are doing with them. Those familiar ways of sitting, standing and bending which seem comfortable may be doing us harm.
The aim in teaching the Technique is not to tackle the symptoms of stress directly, but to retrain those patterns of movement that bring them about. In the process, painful symptoms may disappear and one's general health and sense of well-being is enhanced.
In a lesson the Alexander teacher will use gentle manual guidance and verbal instruction to give experiences of moving in a lighter, freer, less stressful way, and how to perform tasks without strain.
One way to decide if the Alexander Technique can help you is to have an introductory lesson. Then the teacher can assess your condition and the best way to proceed. back to top

This child is just living in the now and enjoying the moment, which most of us adults find impossible to do. The Alexander Technique can show us again how to do this.

Alexander Teachers say that if we use our bodies properly, any pain disappears and breathing, circulation and digestion all improve, with a general sense of well-being. People come for a variety of reasons: to improve their posture, help with breathing, or specific problems like back pain, shoulder tension, or for relaxation. People fall into a set of bad habits, which produces tension; once you change, you feel more relaxed, less in pain, standing and sitting better.

"I love the Alexander Technique. It has corrected my posture, improved my health and changed my life"
Alec McCowen

"The Alexander Principle works...I recommend it enthusiastically to anyone who has neck pains or back pains"
Roald Dahl back to top