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Alexander Technique

What is the Alexander Technique and how can you benefit from it?

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What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is a methodology to help unpick and correct bad posture and movement habits that have built up over the years, that you may not even have been aware of.


It teaches you how to improve the way you use your body in everything you do – opening up so many opportunities to live a fuller life.

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The Alexander Technique is all about getting to the root cause of physical symptoms and breaking the cycle - adjusting thinking and changing how somebody communicates with their body’s neuromuscular system.

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We can re-learn ways to stand, sit and move as nature intended, building a framework of conscious physical behaviours that will benefit you now and into your long-term future.

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Although there is some crossover with the techniques used in Pilates, yoga, physiotherapy and osteopathy, the Alexander Technique is a stand-alone philosophy.


Rather than using exercises, it’s a practice that gently and profoundly changes your actions and how you use your body in day-to-day life, by bringing a deeper understanding of your whole self.

Tanya Shoop using the Alexander Technique to assist a photographer
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How does the Alexander Technique work?

Essentially, we build up a picture of the whole body - an interconnected organism where the parts work together better.

 

Through pausing and thinking, we’re going ‘mind to muscle’. We’re quietening the neuromuscular system where it is overworking and energising it where it is slackened.


The pausing and thinking means that we’re focusing on the journey more than the end result, i.e. really being consciously aware of how we’re using our body to get out of a chair, or to clean our teeth; noticing how we’re bending our body and gripping the toothbrush and thinking about what it would be like if we did it differently.


The Alexander Technique also tackles ‘faulty sensory perception’. This is when what things feel like can often be incorrect. For example, someone is thinking they’re standing straight but they’re actually leaning forwards or backwards or to the side.

 

I can help to rewire your sensory system to read your body more accurately.

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Ways I can help you

Tanya Shoop using the Alexander Technique with a client on the floor

Engaging and stimulating

sessions to help

you achieve your goals

Yoga Class

Movement and Ease

Weekly Alexander Technique

Group Class

Tanya Shoop using the Alexander Technique to assist a man at work

Workshop sessions

to advise your team about practicing

good posture and movement

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What are the benefits of the Alexander Technique?

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Man sat at a desk holding his lower back and in pain
  • Reducing chronic back, neck and shoulder pain

Being stuck with chronic pain forever is not inevitable; you may be surprised about the changes you can make to alleviate your pain.

  • Good posture

As well as physically presenting yourself confidently and creating a good impression, good posture helps balance, breathing and can prevent injuries during exercise.

  • Ageing well

Getting older does not have to be a downhill process. It’s possible to continue – or even restart – doing things that you love for as long as possible, and to age with positivity and confidence.

  • Better walking and balance

Gait analysis, looking from head to toe, makes a huge difference in being able to walk for longer, without discomfort.

  • Learning to relax and breathe better

Relaxation is a skill. Your mind and body will feel freer, you will have different tools to manage stress and your breathing will be more open.

  • Managing hypermobility

The Alexander Technique is also very useful for people with hypermobility problems, including Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).

  • Building confidence and using your voice

You can learn to use your voice in a more embodied way, being more assertive and building your confidence.

  • Ergonomic desk set up

Making sure your working environment is set up correctly is incredibly important for alleviating and avoiding neck, shoulder and back pain.

  • Exercising safely

Exercising should only be beneficial. If it’s uncomfortable or causing you pain, we need to find out why and address the issues which will hopefully mean you can carry on exercising without damaging your body.

  • More comfortable sleeping positions

A good night’s sleep is fundamentally important to our health so let’s make sure you’re doing everything you can to get one.

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