Kay Cady MSTAT Med Exon Teacher of the Alexander Technique Assistant Teacher at the Centre for Constructive Awareness and Related Education Objectives for the day Part 1 Discover the history of the technique ID: 781944
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Slide1
What is the Alexander Technique?
Kay Cady MSTAT Med ( Exon)
Teacher of the Alexander Technique
Assistant Teacher at the Centre for Constructive Awareness and Related Education
Slide2Objectives for the dayPart 1
Discover the history of the technique
Identify how it could help you
personally
Begin to engage the conscious mind and override harmful habits of
use
Experience how heavy the head is and experience that how we
use our ‘Self’ can
affect our
health
Slide3Objectives for the dayPart 2
Experience using muscles that are designed for moving, as opposed to muscles that we use subconsciously
Experience sitting comfortably without tension and without support
Experience standing without tension and from this improve circulation
Experience walking tall and the confidence that it brings
Experience active rest and its benefits
Slide4What is the Alexander Technique?
It is about learning to look after your SELF
and
taking responsibility for your own
health and well being
In doing this
we are modelling good practice for our children
Slide5What is the Alexander Technique?
It is an Education….
(re-educating the
neuromuscular system)
It is
not
a Therapy or medical practice
An Alexander teacher cannot “cure” you of your ills
Slide6What is the Alexander Technique?
We have lost the good use that we had as a small child and have developed our own ways of doing things and this is not helpful to our wellbeing
Slide7What is the Alexander Technique?
It is about getting rid of habits that we have developed over our lives, that are harmful to our functioning
(or, as a child, preventing the onset of bad habits)
Misusing our “SELF” leads to aches pains and debilitating illness
Slide8Habits of use
For a bit of fun (!) can someone demonstrate what we do when we
1. Walk in the rain
2. Feel cold
3. Feel tired
4. Laugh
5 Are depressed
Slide9Slide10What is the Alexander Technique?
It involves recognising that the Body Mind and Spirit are a psychophysical unity
There is not an emotion that does not manifest itself in the body
Slide11As parents and teachers we want the best for our children
We would be horrified if we thought that we were setting our children up for a life of pain and suffering
Current best practice in diet, thanks to Jamie Oliver (although I am sure many of us were doing our best before him)
Our Nanny state is also encouraging us to take fresh air and exercise….
Slide12But….
Has anyone:
explained to us that our mind, body and spirit works as a psychophysical unity….
and/or:
demonstrated best practice to us?
Slide13Who was Alexander?
A successful professional Shakespearian reciter who lost his voice! (early 1900’s)
No medical person could help him
Recognised that it must be something he was doing to himself….
Slide14Potted History
Alexander spent 10 years of systematic self study, using mirrors
His voice returned
His health improved
He wanted to share his discovery
Slide15Alexander’s Primary Control
The Primary Control is the relationship of the head neck back.
The spine needs to be at its optimum length
The head sitting in balance
(adult head approx 10 to 15lbs)
Slide16Restoring the balance
Alexander has provided us with a series of directions that we use whilst undertaking any activity.
This is a thought process and not a ‘doing’
You will learn these directions when you have Alexander lessons
Thinking NOT doing
Slide17No exercises!
You just need to direct your thoughts whilst doing any daily activities, such as sitting, walking, lying down, vacuuming, making tea, brushing your teeth!
In leisure activities such as Running , walking or playing tennis
Also at work using the computer, lifting heavy objects etc
Slide18This is not what the Alexander Technique is about!
Sit up straight
Shoulders back and down
Tuck Bum in!
We must encourage our children to think rather than do…. or they are likely to be doing a different kind of “badly”
Slide19Life is about Stimulus - Response
Mostly we do things without thinking and it is then that we misuse our SELF. For example…..
Stimulus – phone rings
Response – rush to pick up phone
We don’t look after our SELF
Slide20Learning the Alexander Technique
Provides you with a series of directions that underpin everything you do, including any sport.
Enables you to achieve your potential without harming yourself
Slide21Slide22Learning the AlexanderTechnique
Enables you to sing more naturally
more effective and efficient posture
more breath
more control
……………and without unnecessary tension!
Slide23What happens in a lesson?
I will work with you using hands on guidance, whilst you are sitting, standing or lying on your back.
You will learn a series of directions to assist you to undo any harmful habits you have accumulated over your lifetime
You will undertake some directed activities that will help you use your directions to underpin your daily activities
Slide24Learning the technique
Individual lessons with a teacher
Recommend 20 lessons to start
Condensed into a short period is best as repetition helps your neuromuscular system to be re-educated more easily
Slide25In Summary, Learning the Technique can help:
Young Children
Learning the Technique can prevent the onset of potentially harmful habits which are often caused by copying adult behaviour.
Slide26In Summary,
Learning the Technique can help
Teenagers
Learning the Technique can help young people develop more confidence about their appearance and prevent the establishment of potentially harmful habits
For example if a young person grows tall quickly he or she may tend to stoop, causing long term problems.
Slide27Horseriders
Poise
Improved Posture
Balance
More Respect
Better Communication
Slide28In Summary, Learning the Technique can help
Pregnant Mums
Learning the Technique can help mum manage the increasing weight of baby and, after birth, learn how to lift and carry baby with less stress.
Slide29In Summary,
Learning the Technique can help
Middle years
Learning the Technique can help a person replace harmful habits with a more positive way of living resulting in a less stressful and more energising life. They can also prepare for a more healthy and enjoyable retirement.
Slide30In Summary,
Learning the Technique can help
Later Years
Improve the quality of your retirement years.
Slide31What happens in a lesson?
Learning the Technique with a teacher will help you to:
Re-discover the natural relationship with the head, neck and back that you had as a small child.
Recognise postural issues which may be associated with habits of muscular tension
Reduce any habits of misuse that have been established.
Develop spatial awareness and behavioural awareness.
Breathe naturally and easily with less effort
Establish a conscious awareness of how to achieve your potential
Slide32Learning the technique
It takes Time
You cannot rid yourself of 10, 20, 30, 40 or more years of misuse in 2 weeks
We need to build good practice into our lifestyle and that of our children… so that it becomes “normal” everyday practice
Slide33Slide34Slide35Rheumatoid arthritis
Joint pain and swelling
Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods
Fatigue
Slide36Sciatica
compression irritates the sciatic nerve, causes a pain that radiates out from your lower back, down your leg to your calf
longest nerve in your body
runs from the back of pelvis, through buttocks, both legs, ending at feet.