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A typical lesson in the Alexander technique is from 30-50 minutes. The
student remains clothed, wearing loose, comfortable clothing. For a
portion of the lesson, the student will be lying on his back on a table,
while the teacher gently moves his limbs and head. During this part of
the lesson, the student experiences a lengthening and expansion of his
back and neck, and how it feels to have free physical movement.
The remainder of the lesson is devoted to practice in applying principles of the Alexander Technique during the movements associated with walking and sitting, and other activities of special interest to the student: reading, typing, and meditating for example, or in performance related activities such as dancing, speaking, and playing a musical instrument. The Alexander Technique is not practiced as a manipulation of the body, but rather as an education in the proper way to move. The teacher provides the kinesthetic experience of how it feels to move with coordination, balance, ease, and more energy. The student learns to observe and recognize habits of movement and use that are harmful, and how to correct or replace them with others that are beneficial, and more natural to how the human body works. Most of our movements are habitual reactions to stimuli for movement, usually associated with something we need to get done. With the skills of observation and recognition, we can make conscious decisions to stop harmful ways of moving, and consider other more useful ways to accomplish our goals. With time and practice, we can develop new habits of using our body that are beneficial, and which we are free to change and adjust as needed. What the student learns and experiences in the lessons can applied to most daily activities. In this way, change and growth continue beyond the time spent with the teacher. A desirable effect from applying the Alexander Technique is to be more present right now. By paying attention to how we use our body and how we move, we are encouraged and reminded to be in touch with our body, and to be conscious of the choices we make in all of our actions. With the practice of stopping habitual reactions in physical activities, a general decrease in reacting impulsively to other situations involving the mind and emotions, also occurs. Bodily tension is reduced, and students often report feeling calmer and having more energy. |