The Benefits and Principles of the Alexander Technique

Most people will not be familiar with the concept of the Alexander technique but for those with mechanical problems the benefits can be overwhelming if learned correctly and taught by someone who is well practiced in the activity.

What Is The Alexander Technique?

The Alexander technique is a practice that aims to help the person realign their body and become more aware of the potential held in the body, the effect on health of not performing movements in the right way and being aware of space and how to use it.

It aims to teach people how the mind, body and soul unite and work together (or against each other) and how this affects the body most commonly resulting in poor posture, poor movement and a build-up of muscular tension.The target of learning the Alexander technique is to make people more aware of how they use their body and the effects of this being performed in a negative way.

Those following the practice believe that animals and young children have a natural ability to use their body correctly but as we grow to adulthood we learn bad habits and find short cuts which have a very negative effect on health.

How Will It Help Ease My Back Pain?

Teachers of the Alexander technique suggest that by becoming more aware of how the body works, how to improve the mechanics of your body and how to improve breathing and posture, those with long term back pain may be able to find comfort and ease of their symptoms if the technique is learned correctly.

Using the skills learned, participants will be able to move more confidently and suitably for their body, realise the limits of the body and find certain techniques that will relieve certain stresses and strains from the muscles, bones and joints in the body.

By altering the way we move and hold ourselves, we may be able to relieve stress on the body as well as being more aware of how our body works which may help us prevent further damage in the future.

More and more people are now learning the technique with the aim of finding some back pain relief.

Where Can I Learn It?

The Alexander technique can not really be taught effectively using forms of media alone although a lot of research can be carried out this way.

Most people it seems have had much more benefit from having scheduled appointments led by a teacher who is extremely familiar with the technique. This way the teacher can make a full assessment of the pupil and adapt teaching techniques to each individual.

The technique can then be learned at your own pace with the help and encouragement of your teacher.It may be possible to gain many of the skills using a DVD but there really is no better way to learn it than by having a direct one-to-one session with a proper instructor.

Use the internet of your local telephone book to find out if you have a teacher in your area. Alternatively ask your doctor who may be aware of a teacher in the region.

The Alexander technique is a practice that aims to equip the learner with the skills needed to make subtle changes to the way in which their body moves and functions. It does this by helping the person understand three relationships of the mind, body and soul and how one can affect the other.