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How many lessons per week will I need to have?Initially, lessons should be at frequent intervals, ideally twice a week, so that you get into the habit of using the technique in your everyday activity. Later, one lesson a week will be sufficient. Will I have to take my clothes off?No, just wear clothes that allow sufficient freedom of movement. Women are generally more comfortable wearing trousers. Do I have to do exercises at home?There are no exercises to be repeated mechanically, as in physiotherapy or gymnastics. Instead, you will gradually grow more and more conscious of the way in which you sit, stand and move and will become accustomed to applying the technique in your daily life. Will it make me look any different?Many pupils report that their partners and friends notice their improved appearance, though most cannot say what has changed. In general, pupils tend to acquire more harmonious movements and greater poise. Does it hurt?No, not in the slightest! Re-educating the body by the Alexander Technique is a very gentle process: the teacher's hands guide the pupil into the correct positions, without any forceful manipulation. What training do Alexander Technique teachers have?In order to become a teacher recognised by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), it is necessary to study the technique for three years at an approved school, where students learn first to apply the technique themselves and then to teach it to others. STAT, which is based in London, grants certificates to those who successfully complete the course. Who needs to learn the Alexander Technique?Those in certain professions have a particular need to re-educate their bodies because they assume unnatural positions during their working hours: dentists, computer operators and professional musicians come to mind. But everyone can benefit from applying the technique, since all adults have acquired habits of misuse. Can the technique be taught to children or adolescents?Children learn to balance their bodies naturally when they learn to walk, but as soon as they go to school they are forced to spend long hours sitting at a desk and often develop faulty posture as a result. Young children rarely need to be taught to carry their bodies correctly, but older children and adolescents can greatly benefit from learning the Alexander Technique, particularly if they suffer from scoliosis, lordosis or other common growth disorders. What about my 85-year-old mother?The technique is very suitable for elderly people, as it does not involve any strenuous activity. It helps them acquire better balance and makes them less likely to fall. Are there any books about the Alexander Technique?Yes, many books have been written on the subject. As well as Alexander's own book, The Use of the Self, another authoritative volume is Your Guide to the Alexander Technique by John Gray. It should be emphasised, however, that there is no substitute for expert hands-on guidance by a qualified teacher, especially in the initial stages of learning the technique |
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