Pat Brown MSTAT Alexander Technique Teacher
Leeds Yorkshire 

Alexander emphasised the importance of the relationship between the head, neck and back.

Most of us use too much tension in our muscles or use the wrong muscles when we make simple everyday movements. Even at rest, we find it hard to let go of some of these tensions.
 

The technique teaches you how to avoid unnecessary
strain and tension in everyday activities
 

You may get poor posture because of a habit, such as always slumping when you sit in a chair or always standing with your shoulders and back hunched. Poor posture can put pressure on different parts of your back

Some muscles may become weaker than others and this means they are more likely to get damaged. If muscles become weak, it can also affect the position of your spine and this can lead to back pain.

The Alexander Technique helps unravel the years of tense muscles and poor postural habits. It teaches you how to avoid unnecessary strain and tension in everyday activities - standing, walking, sitting, bending, or even using a computer. You will learn how the postural mechanisms in the body will work if we just leave them alone to get on with it!

Usually, after even one or two session, pupils will become aware of a subtle "lengthening" in the spine, which is very different from the forced stretch from, say, traction. To the extent that one can learn to prevent downward pressure, the spine will tend to recover its natural spring. This can often lead to relief from pain caused by pressure on nerves (as in sciatica) or joints.

 

80% of us will experience back pain at some time in our lives.

Almost half of all adults in Britain get back pain that lasts at least a day each year

The back is designed to give   flexibility and movement.  A rigid
back is a weak back.