When at the gym are you really targeting the muscles you want to? Are you tight as you go into movement? Have you locked your knees? Are you actually in support without undue tension? Is it possible to avoid using any muscles which are not needed for the activity itself? Could you be causing yourself a muscular imbalance? The way we go about training strongly affects both the process and results. We need to prepare body and mind for an exercise.

 

The Alexander Technique helps us to become more balanced and co-ordinated. As this body awareness improves we can quickly apply this to our particular activity. Benefits include strengthening deep postural muscles, improved breathing, balance, coordination and quality of movement.

 

The Alexander Technique will benefit anyone whether you are an elite athlete or whether you just wish to live life without the aches and pains that many people suffer and accept as part of life. It’s about getting a better sense of yourself as a whole. (Kinaesthetic sense)

 

In lessons we spend time getting you in centred support so you are able to squat with little tension, and move with greater freedom and fluidity. I will encourage you to think in activity, there should always be the possibility of movement. Some simple exercises will help to strengthen your red muscle fibres which are fatigue free. Most of us find it difficult to release into activity but with instruction this lengthening in activity can revolutionise our performance.

 

The swimmer can lengthen in the pool improving their performance, the runner can run with their legs freely underneath them, tennis players may feel more agile on their feet, In skiing our balance and co-ordination is improved. The yogi is always free to go into movement. The Gym goer learns to only use the appropriate muscles.

 

Some supporters of the Technique include Sebastian Coe, Lindford Christie, Greg Chappell and Valerie Thompson-Williams.

 

"Balance is a vital aspect of good hammer throwing and getting the head, neck, spine and pelvis in the correct relationship enables the balance of the throw to come so much more easily. Once the balance is settled there is an enormous improvement in turning speed."

Howard Payne, Commonwealth record hammer thrower

 

"It is a pity that these techniques are not shown to us all at an early age for I have no doubt that this would alleviate many of the causes of ill health in our communities."

Greg Chappell Australian test cricketer (1970 - 1984)

 

"I can definitely say without hesitation that I wouldn't have had the rowing success that I have had the luxury of experiencing in my short time on the water, without finding the AT and the great teachers that I have had the privilege to work with."
Valerie Thompson-Williams, rowing masters gold medallist

 

Several books have been written on raising performance with the Alexander including: “Master the Art of Running”, “Master the Art of Swimming” and “Master the Art of Working out”

 

You can view and buy these in my online shop.

 

Wouldn’t it be great to move with greater fluidity in your activity? Try out an introductory session.