Often people come to Alexander lessons when they have failed to find adequate help from conventional methods of treatment.  Their problems are very often the results of bad habits of movement and can be relieved by the re-education learned with the Alexander Technique.

Lessons in the Alexander Technique are lessons in self-awareness: the first step in understanding how we cause ourselves pain.  By relearning proper body mechanics, you can relieve pain and learn how to prevent it recurring.

Over the years it has proved itself helpful for many health concerns and the medical establishment is increasingly referring their patients to Alexander Teachers for a range of muscular-skeletal problems in particular.

Many of the best performers display an economy of movement and seem entirely natural.  Alexander teaches us that this is not just the result of natural talent, but can be learned.  Bad habits built up over years of daily misuse can become exaggerated when you have to regularly perform a repetitive, difficult or delicate activity.  Alexander Technique teachers see a lot of actors, musicians, dancers and other performers with pain and discomfort in the back, neck, shoulder and other muscular-skeletal problems, breathlessness and vocal problems, as well as those just seeking to fulfil their creative potential.

Performers use the Alexander Technique to improve stamina, increase clarity of perception, free up creativity and spontaneity and manage stage fright.

The Technique is used by all the major Drama, Music and Dance Schools.  Performers know that they have to be in good form and in a balanced state both physically and mentally to be able to work but often they do not have a tried and tested means of achieving this state - The Alexander Technique provides this.

If you are looking for drama and performance coaching that fully integrates the Alexander Technique, please visit my other website at www.find-yourvoice.com

Many top athletes use the Alexander Technique to improve their performance.  It can be equally useful for any form of exercise, from running, horseriding and swimming to T'ai Chi and Yoga.  Sportspeople can improve flexibility, timing and efficiency, and be able to be on form more consistently. 
Learning the Technique improves breathing, reduces undue muscular tension, facilitates recovery, reduces the risk of injury, improves reflexes, balance, coordination, quality of movement and mobility.

Poor habits of posture and movement can have a huge effect on our breathing, restricting the efficient process of clearing toxins and re-oxygenation of our blood. This can have an effect on our emotions so we may be over-anxious, timid and lacking confidence, or lethargic and depressed.  Collapse in stature can also put excessive pressure on our digestive system, our bowel movements and affect our pelvic floor.  Excessive tension can cause restriction of blood circulation, increasing pressure and putting strain on our heart.  The Alexander Technique helps us challenge these poor habits; you learn how you create tension and how you can prevent or release it.
As the Alexander Technique is concerned with challenging habitual reactions, it helps you deal with stimulus more effectively.  It teaches you to gain control over your reactions.  In a stressful situation the Technique helps to organise your perception of the choices available.  Learning to apply the Technique in this way builds quiet confidence and emotional intelligence.

Improved physical balance and co-ordination also brings about emotional centredness and natural confidence. This can influence how we communicate and interact with others and allows our full potential to be expressed. Greater calmness and self confidence comes with natural upright poise and can help you achieve more in life and generally feel happier and more fulfilled.

Alexander discovered the essential role of the body in the development of conscious learning.  The Technique is therefore a powerful tool for heightening self-knowledge to be able to deal with emotional problems and achieve personal transformation.  A number of my pupils come for lessons following a significant life-change such as bereavement and divorce.

Many others use the Technique for their general self-development.  It offers a method for lifelong learning and you can use it to develop self-awareness and self-reliance.  It's an ongoing process of fascinating self-discovery!

The realignment of the body during pregnancy can cause constant discomfort. Learning the Technique can help women cope with their changing shape and balance of weight, which relieves pain, and later cope with the stresses of motherhood.