What is The Alexander Technique?The Alexander Technique is an educational therapy which works to change habits in our everyday activities, enabling us to release unnecessary tension and discover a new balance and ease of movement.It is a unique and very practical method of improving co-ordination, flexibility and choice. Neither a relaxation nor treatment method, the Alexander Technique is something to learn initially with a teacher, developing a self-help tool for life. |
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Alexander Technique for Beginners
5 week course starts September 1st 2009 - Tuesday 7 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.
Cost £55 (concessions available for those on low incomes). Numbers limited. Further information and booking forms available from The Oxford Practice, Malmesbury (01666 824560).
Learn how your posture may be impacting your health
Improve your breathing
Move more easily, more freely
Sciatica? Neck and shoulder problems? RSI?
The Alexander Technique can help.
Ease tension and reduce stress
"Chronic back pain, which causes probably more disability and days off work than any other health condition, can be eased through teaching better posture via the Alexander Techniques, doctors say" (Report in The Guardian, August 2008, following the publication of the Alexander Technique back pain trial in the British Medical Journal)
Autumn Workshops on the Alexander Technique
" You translate everything, whether physical or mental or spiritual, into muscular tension"(F M Alexander 1869 - 1955)
Discover the relevance of this statement for you in this series of Saturday afternoon workshops:
Saturday 26th September
Sturday 10th October
Saturday 24th October
Cost: £15 per workshop; all 3 workshops £30 (booked in advance)
Numbers are limited. Further information and booking forms available from The Oxford Practice, Malmesbury (01666 824560)
Workshop Details:
Saturday 26th September 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Physical - 'You are how you move'
Discover how your movement patterns impact you physically, causing muscle tension and pain. Become aware of your own 'problem areas' and begin to understand how you can change old habits, release the tension and discover a new balance and ease of movement.
Saturday 10th October 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Mental - 'You are how you think'
Explore the impact of your way of thinking on all aspects of your life. Understand more about your neural pathways and synaptic connections and what triggers a fight or flight stress response. Find out how this is translated into muscular tension.
Saturday 24th October 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Spiritual - 'You are how you respond to life'
Emotional and spiritual are closely linked. Have you always responded to what happens to you in the same way? Become more aware of who you really are and learn to clear your energy field of unwanted and unhelpful responses. Discover how this also helps you to release unwanted physical tension.
About the LessonsHow is the Technique taught? Working with simple, everyday activities such as walking, getting in and out of a chair or lying down, I use verbal instruction and gentle guidance with my hands to unravel excessive muscular tension and distortion in the body. The student learns to recognise his or her particular patterns of misuse and change them. How many lessons are needed? It varies with each individual and depends on the results you want. It is like learning any new skill, driving or playing the piano - you make progress right from the start. Frequency of lessons will also affect progress. Lessons are usually one to one. Group sessions are also available. What does a lesson cost? £27 and usually last about 45 minutes. (Early lessons may take longer). A one hour introductory lesson is £15. This will give you the opportunity to experience the benefits of the Technique and decide if you want to pursue a course of lessons. |
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Susan M Stewart BA PGCE MSTAT
I began learning the Alexander Technique while suffering from long standing neck and back pain and sciatica, which nothing seemed to help. With Alexander lessons, I discovered a new lease of life and have been pain free now for a number of years.
My background is in language training, both in schools and colleges and in local businesses. As a teacher and facilitator with many years' experience, it was a natural transition for me to train to teach the Alexander Technique and enable others to discover what I myself had experienced.
I teach one to one lessons, I teach in groups and I run workshops, both in Malmesbury and in Swindon.
The founder of the Technique was Frederick Matthias Alexander. In my teaching, I have discovered the truth of his statement "you translate everything, whether physical or mental or spiritual, into muscular tension" (we could add emotional here too!) In finding relief from physical tension, release and balance are often obtained in other areas of our lives too.
I am a member of STAT, The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. STAT was founded in 1958 and is the internationally recognised representative body for the Technique. All STAT members have completed a three year, full-time training course prior to being accepted as members of the society.
For additional information please contact me at The Oxford Practice and / or visit the web site for The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.
You can also contact me via email.
Bridget Malcolm BA MSTAT
I first became interested in the Alexander Technique when I began to suffer from chronic fatigue. I wanted to discover how I could use a lot less energy in my daily life and become a lot more aware of how I respond to things so that I could live my life in a healthier way. The Alexander Technique proved to be such a successful tool in helping me that it led to my training full-time to become a fully-qualified teacher in the Alexander Technique.
Additionally, I spend time working with elderly people exploring with them how the Technique can be used at any age to help people reach their full potential and to work with the limitations physical ageing may incur. The Alexander Technique works with people in a very integrated way - physical, mental, emotional - and I also use it in my spiritual life as an aid to meditation and self-awareness.
I am interested in working with people on a one to one basis, in pairs and in groups. Group sessions may take the form of working with people applying general principles of the Technique or in working with people who have a specific interest eg in music, sport, pregnancy and childbirth. The emphasis is on experiential learning in an informal and enjoyable way, giving the pupil the toolkit he or she needs to apply the principles of the Alexander Technique in everyday life.
If you would like any further information, then do please leave your contact details for me with Reception or e-mail me on bridget@theoxfordpractice.co.uk.