Alexander Technique, Alexander Technique

Teachers use demonstration, explanation, and repeated examination of what spontaneously occurs in minute detail. Trained observation and light hand contact are used to detect the student's unnecessary physical and mental stresses. Hands-on suggestion and guiding improvements are offered in the context of everyday actions such as sitting, standing, walking, using the hands and speaking. As further topics of personal interest, activities such as the complex & demanding training of performing artists, sports or hobbies may be requested by students. Alexander Technique principles have also been adapted to be taught in groups, often using short individual lessons demonstrated in turn which act as examples to the class.

The Alexander technique has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic or recurrent back pain in a randomized study published Aug. 19, 2008. Paul Little et al., Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique (AT) lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain ,British Medical Journal, August 19, 2008.

M. Alexander and the Technique so much so that he included him as a character in the pacifist theme novel Eyeless in Gaza published in 1936. Aldous Huxley, Eyeless in Gaza , Harper and Brothers, 1936 The American philosopher and educator John Dewey was very favorably impressed by F. M. Alexander and the Technique. In 1923, Dewey wrote the introduction to Alexander's magnum opus Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual . F. M. Alexander, Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual , E. P. Dutton & Co., 1923, ISBN 0-913111-11-2 Since Alexander's work in the field came at the turn of the century, his ideas influenced many originators in the field of mind-body improvement. Fritz Perls, who originated Gestalt Therapy, credited Alexander as an inspiration for his psychological work. The Feldenkrais Method and the Mitzvah Technique were both influenced by the Alexander Technique, in the form of study previous to the originators founding their own disciplines. The Alexander Technique is one of the three healing arts that formed the foundation of Nia Technique. John Appleton, Alexander Technique teacher, has originated a variation which uses visualization techniques called Posture release imagery. David Gorman, formerly working as an Alexander Technique teacher trainer, originated a variation called LearningMethods using the systematic exploration of experience to understand the root of problematic habits and change them.

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