The Alexander Technique:

  The Alexander Technique is a mind-body awareness technique which releases mental and physical tension whilst improving balance, poise and co-ordination. Discovered over 100 years ago by F M Alexander, the technique is used worldwide in many disciplines such as acting, dancing, sports and riding.  After many years of research, Alexander discovered the secret of good posture. By becoming aware of and releasing the bad habits developed subconsciously  through our lifetime, which  pull us down, we regain the graceful, easy use of the body which we naturally experienced  during early childhood. Over the years, we tend to lose this good easy way of using the body due to the stresses and strains of life.

The Alexander Technique brings back  ease of movement and lightness to the body.

An Alexander Session usually involves hands on work whilst sitting, standing, and bending, as well as lying down on a therapy couch  wearing loose comfortable clothing.  The Alexander Teacher`s  hands gently assist in the release of tension and mis-use in the neck, spine and musculature, bringing back  balance and freedom as well as more clarity of mind. The simple movements and positions during sitting, walking, and bending help us to understand how our coordination works  and how we misuse the body and create unnecessary tension.  We then release our old patterns of habit which enables us to prevent or release tension helping us gain greater freedom and poise .

As the neck frees and the  head leads the movement in a forward and upward direction it literally draws upwards on the bones to which the muscles are attached. This drawing upwards is balanced by muscles releasing downwards in an opposing direction. As the back lengthens and widens the whole body begins to feel free and more alive.

 Well-known students of the Technique include 

Kevin Kline, Julian Bream, Terry Gross, Willian Hurt 

Paul Newman, John Cleese, Aldous Huxley, 

George Bernard Shaw, and many others.

"The Alexander Technique
has helped me to undo
knots, unblock energy, and
deal with almost paralyzing
stage fright."  William Hurt

The Alexander Technique stresses unification in an era of greater and greater medical specialization. Its educational system teaches people how to best use their bodies in ordinary action to avoid or reduce unnecessary stress and pain. In enables clients to get better faster and stay better longer. This is undoubtedly the best way to take care of the back and alleviate back pain." - Jack Stern, MD, PhD, Neurosugical Group of Westchester, White Plains, NY

"I recommend people to the Alexander Technique who have not improved with traditional rehabilitative therapies. Part of their pain may be due to posture and the improper use of their bodies. Many people who have neck or back pain and have gone through heat, ultrasound and massage with no relief can be helped by learning the Alexander Technique. It definitely works. Nothing works for everyone, as one well-versed in using physical therapy and biofeedback, I know how valuable this technique is. I highly recommend it. "- Barry M. Schienfeld, MD, Specialist RehabilitationMedicine and Pain Management, Community General Hospital,

"The Alexander Technique makes sense in that appropriate use of the body will lead to reduction of various musculoskeletal disorders and remediate others which are established. No equipment is needed, just he skill and training of the teacher. This technique is very worthwhile as a primary preventative therapy. It is especially useful when posture is a key factor in back injuries while lifting and for workers who perform repetitive tasks while sitting." - Robert D. Greene, MD, Emergency Department, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT

The Alexander Technique remains the best of the self-care strategies to prevent the sequel of poor posture and poor breathing." - Harold Wise, MD, PC, New York

""Lessons in the Alexander Technique taught me how to sit in a state of lumbrosacral poise, and my chronic low back pain gradually became cured. The Technique is true education. Compared to surgery (e.g. for low back pain or for chronic obstructive lung disease) a course of instruction is inexpensive." - John H. M. Austin, MD, Professor of Radiology; Chief, Division of Radiology, Columbia