Good posture has always been regarded as a sign of good health. It's well known that a strong, supple and supportive spine is one of the key elements to pain-free movement throughout the body.
For generations, parents have told their children to 'sit up tall' and not slouch in their chairs. Today, that message is louder than ever as people rush to join the latest fitness classes promising to put an end to back pain by making the core (abdominals) stronger and spines aligned. While not a fitness class, the aim of the Alexander technique is to teach people how to move their bodies in the most efficient manner. By guiding students through simple movements such as sitting and standing, teachers help them to identify and stop patterns of movement that cause tension.
Developed in 1904 by Australian actor Frederick Matthias Alexander, the technique believes both the mind and body must be re-educated in order to free the individual from stress and tension. Having noticed his breathing and voice were affected by the tense way he held himself on stage, Alexander developed a simple system of balancing his head, neck, and back in order to improve his performance. Not only did he solve his voice problem but he was also able to improve his overall health. He based his technique on two main principles: inhibiting old, patterned, habitual reactions and ordering or retraining the body to move in alternative ways.
He believed that only by noticing your body in motion can you develop the kinesthetic awareness in order to learn alternative, less destructive movement patterns. The Alexander technique doesn't involve the instructor giving any sort of physical manipulation. The instructor's role is only to provide guidance and verbal instructions, so there's no fear of injury. While the breath is considered important, Alexander believed breathing was an autonomic reflex so all you could do was get out of the way and let it happen. It's a holistic approach and so isn't to relieve specific problems such as a backache or a stiff neck. The intent is to find and correct the source of those muscle-related problems.
Typically, this technique is taught one-on-one in private lessons that usually last an hour. The number of lessons required depends on the individual but according to Peter Schneider, a certified instructor in Australia, the minimum is usually 20 sessions. In the first session, teachers will identify problem areas and make subtle adjustments. Then the student will be required to sit and stand while the teacher gives feedback both verbally and with gentle guidance. According to Schneider, unlearning all the bad habits is more a mental exercise than a physical one. Throughout the sessions, students tend to develop a sense of wholeness and lightness by letting go and softening their muscles. By the end of just one session, it becomes apparent you don't need tension to stand or sit. By learning not to strain or collapse while moving your movements become fluid and easy.
This technique doesn't proclaim to cure any condition or illness However, Schneider says it's been proven through example and many students claim to not only feel relaxed and energised but relieved of certain problem areas. By replacing poor postural habits with more aligned ones, students remain conscious of how to use their bodies to stay tension-free. At 6.15pm on Friday, Schneider will introduce the Alexander technique and supervise free individual assessments and hands-on experience for up to 10 people at Stretch, 501 Winsome House, 73 Wyndham Street, Central. For details, call 21678686.