Alexander Technique

What Is Alexander Technique?

Alexander Technique (AT) is a complementary movement method that can help people relieve pain and move more comfortably. Many people with chronic pain, stress, back problems, or posture issues turn to AT to improve movement and well-being.

AT can support balance, coordination, breathing, and overall mobility. This integrative technique helps you observe your movement habits, react, and redirect tension or excessive effort to move more comfortably.

People who study AT can develop skills to manage pain, improve performance, and support easier movement in both day-to-day and highly specialized activities. People of many ages and with various physical conditions can try AT.

Through AT lessons you will learn

Alexander Technique is often taught in one-on-one lessons. Practitioners will offer gentle, guiding contact to help students learn new movements.

• How to coordinate your body in activity, using thoughts to organize your movement constructively.
• How to become more aware of sensory feedback.
• How to pause between stimulus and reaction.
• How to foster a self-care mindset during your activities.

What Are the Origins of AT?

Fredrick Matthias Alexander created the Alexander Technique in the 1890s to recover from vocal strain. Soon, he realized this process could be applied to other activities.

AT practitioners first underwent formal training in the 1930s. Standard AT teacher training lasts three years and includes more than 1,600 hours of instruction.

Today, AT is supported by a growing body of scientific research. Studies have examined how AT can help address low back pain, neck pain, and Parkinson’s disease.

When Should You Use AT?

You can to help manage a variety of health conditions:

• Chronic pain, including back and neck pain.
• Parkinson’s disease.
• Mobility and coordination issues.
• Poor posture.
• Balance issues.
• Breathing and voice difficulties.
• Stress and anxiety.
• Recovery from injuries, including overuse and repetitive stress injuries.

When Should You Not Use AT?

Like other complementary approaches, Alexander Technique should not be used to replace standard medical treatments. Please contact an AT teacher or health care provider with questions or concerns.