About the Alexander Technique

Practiced as a discipline, the Alexander Technique is a fundamental skill used to gain conscious control of habits of thought and action and to improve overall heath and functioning. People begin studying the Alexander Technique to improve their artistic, athletic and mental performance, appearance and general awareness. People also study the Alexander Technique to alleviate pain, tension, stress, symptoms of disease and dysfunction and cognitive or emotional difficulties. Many people also study the Alexander Technique as a discipline of general self development. As John Dewy, the educational philosopher and student of F.M. Alexander, put it, “As one goes on [with the Technique], new areas are opened, new possibilities are seen and then realized; one finds himself continually growing, and realizes there is an endless process of growth initiated.” The application of the Alexander Technique is practically limitless since the Alexander Technique addresses anything a person does with his or her 'self'.

The Alexander Technique was developed by F. M. Alexander in the 1890's. Like other skills it is taught in one-on-one lessons. Five premises of the technique are:

  1. Man is a psychophysical being. Thinking and subconscious process are always associated with muscular and chemical activity in our bodies, yet we behave as if it were not. We may fail to notice the detrimental use of ourselves when we are preoccupied. Or we may mentally disconnected while performing repetitive physical activities or when receiving bodily treatments. People regularly slump in front of a video screen for hours ignoring the growing pain in their bodies. Many prefer to distract themselves while they exercise, reducing the effectiveness of exercise and inviting injury.
  2. Like other animals, man's ability to move in a coordinated way is governed by a subconsciously controlled mechanism called the Primary Control. Due to our upright posture, our coordination is delicate and tends to become disturbed over time. We develop habits that interfere with the optimal working of the Primary Control. In developed countries, adults who keep their natural poise are few and tend to stand out. Some of the most famous are Fred Astaire, Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods and Carl Lewis.
  3. Most people have lost the ability to accurately sense both their chronic behavior and their initial reactions to external or internal stimuli. Although a person my have been sitting unevenly for years, they are surprised when their chiropractor shows them an X-ray image of their tilted pelvis. All the little things we do, yet are unaware of, give others clues about our moods, motivations and intentions.
  4. Most behavior is initiated automatically and subconsciously. We use our conscious minds to learn something new and let the subconscious mind take over to store, assimilate and execute the learning. Learning to drive a car takes tremendous conscious attention. Soon, however, we are driving on auto-pilot adjusting and listening to the radio. The fact that the subconscious mind takes over learned material is one of man's greatest assets, however it can make altering behavior difficult.
  5. Throughout life we accumulate harmful subconscious habits, with their corresponding patterns of muscle tension and bodily effects. These harmful habits interfere with our physical and mental abilities, our functioning and health. The accumulation of these subconscious habits also result in a state of lower consciousness: preoccupation and chronic distraction.

Practicing the Alexander Technique results in a more integrated use of the self and an increase in conscious awareness. The ability to observe the initiation of the response to stimuli and the ability to exercise choice in behavior is developed. Over time, minds and bodies become truly quiet, coordinated and poised, and practitioners gain an ever increasing command of themselves.

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