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What is Alexander technique?

Alexander technique creates space.

First of all, it creates space in your joints, so that they can move more freely. In your ribcage, so that you can breathe more freely. But further on, also in your whole self, so that your reaction patterns to stress, emotions and difficult situations can change.

How does Alexander technique make this space? We do this by creating a pause between the moment you decide to do something – for instance, sitting down in a chair – and the actual activity. In this pause, you give yourself time. Time to see if there is anywhere where space can be made.

In the pause moment you can ‘re-organize yourself’ as I call it. For instance when it comes to the balance of your head above your feet. Here, the relationship between your neck, head and back is crucial.

This relationship between your neck, head and back can be pretty chaotic and nonconscious with people. Usually with pain and contraction as a result. Often, much more space is possible. A lighter balance of the head above the feet, which will free up your movements and breathing.

When you start to learn this process, you realize that your habits very much determine your way of moving. And with that, determine the way you react, both physically and mentally. All your ‘patterns’ as we call them.

You can learn to recognize those habitual patterns. And then, once you have taken your pause moment, you can use a certain set of thoughts to ‘reorgnize yourself’ as I call it.

Crucial in this process is what we call ‘leaving yourself alone’ or ‘non-doing’. In fact, you allow your brain and body to together create a new balance in your body. So you don’t do it, you allow it to happen. This non-doing is the essence of the Alexander technique.

This may sound complicated, but it is not difficult to learn. Anyone can do it! Integrating it into your daily life will cost a bit more time. It takes some patience and dedication.

What are the benefits of Alexander technique?

  • You experience more calmness in yourself
  • Your breath becomes calmer and deeper, so that you get healthier
  • You experience effortlessness: things happen as if by themselves, you don’t have to ‘work for it’. Lightness in your body.
  • You become more conscious of how you fixate and tighten yourself, and you learn to prevent this. You don’t slip into your habit so quickly. Both in your body, your emotions and in your head. You become more ‘flexible’.
  • You find your balance more easily after stress.
  • You become more focused, and stronger without using more strength
  • You dance through your day lithely!
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Actually, everyone should practice the Alexander technique because we all have (unconscious) habits which cause pain or at least stand in the way of our full potential.

I came to Doris with so much pain that even walking to the bus stop was an adventure. Already after a few lessons, the pain was completely forgotten. As a musician I noticed very soon that all elements of my playing became better coordinated because of how Alexander technique organizes the body. I now experience moments where everything happens by itself when I play and… it even works when everything is not ‘perfect’.

Alexandra, musician

Who will benefit from this?

Alexander Technique is for you if you really want to find the root cause of your problem. You are done with addressing only the symptoms. You are looking for a more thorough method, in which you can grow and develop yourself. You feel clearly that your body and mind could work together better. You want to learn how to accomplish this, and you are open to new ideas and to self-investigation.

For whom is Alexander technique not a good fit?

Alexander Technique is no quick fix. It takes some time and dedication. If you really don’t want to practice at home, or if you are looking for physiotherapy or sports massage for instance, then Alexander technique is maybe less suitable for you.

A bit of patience can come in handy too, because becoming more conscious of you habits simply takes time.