Alexander Technique

[tenbygirl]

Has anyone ever done this? Did it work? How many sessions did you have and what does it involve?

I have back problems, slipped disc, etc and am wondering if it might help.

thanks

[MuckyAnthea]

I would recommend it.
I have had lessons, but not too many because it was quite expensive. I have a slight curvature of the spine, and used to look really round shouldered, but when I started having AT lessons, I improved immensley. Also swimming and pilates/yoga help too.

Basically if its one to one - the teacher will sit you on a stool, and lift your head, neck etc, to their correct positions, and tell you to stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down and then to move away from the stool, all the time they are holding your head and neck, correcting it while you are doing the moving. They will lie you on a bed, with books under your head, this gives your neck a rest, while they move your arms and legs to release any tension, and then rest them into a correct resting position. My lessons were around an hour long, and afterwards it felt great. In the lesson it seems not much is happening, everything is quite slow and its all about thinking the correct posture in your mind as you move your body. I would recommend it to anyone who has posture problems, or back problems like yourself. You can grow an extra couple of inches in height from the lessons too!

[tenbygirl]

thanks - will get booked in.

[fannyannie]

I had some Alexander Technique lessons when I was at school - paid for by the school (it was a specialist music school) which were fabulous for improving my posture.

[Crotchety]

I've just restarted Alexander Technique - used to do it about 15 years ago. I've started up again because I have a flipping frozen shoulder and it was starting to put my whole back out. I've had two sessions and I really think it's helping, although obviously it's not a miracle cure for the actual shoulder problem. But the improved posture that is beginning to come back to me is helping not to overcompensate by putting other muscles in odd positions. As Mucky says, it doesn't feel as if much is going on, but you do come out feeling different, and I have to adjust the driving mirror as I grow about 6 inches. You also have to commit to lying on the floor for about 10-15 mins every day at some stage to get everything into place.