ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE IN PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH: HAVING ALEXANDER LESSONS
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Having an intellectual understanding of Alexander's work is not generally thought to be enough to enable you to practise Alexander's ideas. Of course, it is possible to teach yourself about the primary control, as Alexander did, but it took him many years to achieve what an Alexander teacher could show you in a matter of minutes. Therefore we recommend that you attend lessons in order to gain the experience that will make the concepts come alive for you.
Lessons are normally taught on a one-to-one basis and last 30-45 minutes. They consist of lying-down work, standing and sitting, breathing, walking and other activities. The teacher's role is to help the student increase her awareness of, and to co-ordinate, her thinking and her movements, by guiding her through the movements and activities towards an understanding of exactly how mental and muscular habits make up so much of our postural patterns. Using her hands in a light and non-intrusive way, and verbal instructions where appropriate, the teacher will make a few minor alterations to the balance of the head, neck and back of the student, bringing about a release of tension. The student will be instructed to do nothing in response to the idea of making a movement, and the teacher will then initiate the movement, before the student has a chance to let her habitual reaction come into play. The student will thus learn to break with habitual ways of using herself and gain an experience of a new and improved use.
Students often report a sense of lightness and ease, and that it felt as if neither they not the teacher actually 'did' anything. Indeed, the role of the student is to do nothing, and instead be open to a new experience. Handing over responsibility to the teacher to facilitate good use does not mean, however, that you no longer need to attend to what is going on. On the contrary, you will be encouraged to remain alert, keep your eyes open, and to 'listen' to what is going on in your body. This way learning becomes a co-operative process between the student and the teacher. Gradually, you learn to monitor your own use and to use the skills of inhibition and direction, as the teacher hands over more of the responsibility to you. Although you have a teacher to help you, you must ultimately make your own discoveries and make the Technique your own.
After some months of lessons your body may begin to change shape, your clothes may no longer fit you in the same way as before, and you may have 'grown' taller. The benefits people discover are not only physical: students find that their thinking and their emotional responses change too, and they often gain confidence.
People can continue with lessons for several years, in part because of the beneficial nature, in part because they are enjoyable and relaxing. Some people need only a handful of sessions before grasping what they need to know. The traditional thinking is that most people need between twenty and thirty to benefit from the Technique, but individuals, and the approach of the individual teacher, vary.
'The Alexander lessons made me aware of my body, of my breathing and of my posture for the first time in my life. I became more aware of my body as part of myself and thus grew more aware of Chia growing inside me. When friends asked me what the Technique was all about, I was hard pressed to explain it - to explain how it made me feel better with and in myself. When I talked about letting the neck be free and using my back to breathe, they looked at me as if I was mad. I don't think until you've had "hands-on" you can appreciate just how "freeing" it can be.' Francine
*18\346\2*
Women’s health
Generic Cialis Online Pharmacy
Canadian Pharmacys
Online pharmacy ratings to save money