Alexander Technique Tips

I am posting a tip a day for 80 days on my twitter account. Follow me here:
http://twitter.com/AlexTechnique

Roger's story - Piriformis Syndrome/Sciatica

Roger is retired and when he came to me he was very held in his muscles and was uncomfortable when sitting or standing too long. Here's what he has to say about his lessons:

"I had been suffering with Piriformis Syndrome ( See definition below ) for about five years. Having turned to my GP, Acupuncture and Chiropractor treatments all without success, I decided to try the Alexander Technique. Mark has been teaching me over the past five months and I am now able to walk and sit again in comfort and to relax. I had forgotten how good that feels!" Roger McIntosh

(DEFINITION:Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or otherwise irritated by the piriformis muscle causing pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks and along the path of the sciatic nerve descending down the lower thigh and into the leg.)

To see how the Alexander Technique can help you go to:
http://www.alexandertechniquebrighton.com/

Lulu's age defying secrets include Alexander Technique

Sunday's Daily Mail includes an article of Lulu's tips for a younger you:

"The fastest way to lose 5lb and take off five years is to stand up straight. I can remember going shopping with my mum and I’d sort of schlump when I was trying on clothes — and she’d narrow her eyes and give me such a look!


I’ve studied the Alexander Technique in the past, which really helps with posture (and so does yoga). As part of the Alexander Technique training, you imagine being gently pulled up by a string attached to the top of the head — where the fontanelle (the soft part of a baby’s skull) is. You feel your neck lengthening. The arms should be relaxed and heavy, but not so heavy that they drag down your shoulders.



Keep your back straight and your buttocks relaxed. (You don’t want them to stick out like a duck’s bum, or have a swayback.) In a relaxed way, put your shoulders back — even if you’ve got boobs and you’re self-conscious about them — and open that chest. It not only looks better, it opens the throat and makes it easier to breathe properly. I took up the Alexander Technique because I’d noticed on TV that my posture wasn’t great. But, importantly, it also helps you to feel more at ease in your body — and clothes sit better on a woman who’s comfortable with herself.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1251462/Lulus-Secrets-My-wardrobe-golden-rules.html


To try a lesson for yourself in Brighton go to:
http://www.alexandertechniquebrighton.com/

Alexander Technique Video (New)

Take a look at this great new video introducing the Alexander Technique and it's many possibilities. My old teacher John Nicholls was involved in it's making.
http://www.alexandertechniquevideo.com/
If you would like to try this for yourself go to :
http://www.alexandertechniquebrighton.com/

What happened in my Alexander Lesson.....

Jo Blood from "Posture People" gives an insight into what actually happens in an Alexander Technique Lesson.
http://www.posturepeople.co.uk/blog/category/alexander-technique/

Alexander Technique for Parkinson's Disease

A Study shows that Alexander Technique can help people with Parkinson's Disease.
http://cre.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/16/7/695

Barefoot running + Alexander Technique

See the article in Sunday's Observer Sports Monthly Magazine about barefoot running and how the Alexander Technique can improve efficiency. I have attended a couple of Malcolm Balk's " Art of running" courses and Oh boy it makes a difference. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb/07/the-challenge-barefoot-running