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Introduction of the Alexander Technique
The technique invented by F.M. Alexander is a world-renowned re-education system for bringing about ease and co-ordination into movement, posture, breathing and vocal use. F.M. Alexander’s most famous book is The use of the self, which describes his observations in attempting to change his postural habits and the general "use" of himself. Early in his career Alexander worked with voice and breathing problems, later developing hands-on treatment and guided procedures for a wider audience who suffered from a broad range of ailments, including unsightly "posture".
"The most valuable knowledge we can possess is of the use and functioning of the self." (F. M. Alexander)
The Alexander teacher uses words and gentle touch to guide the student through simple everyday movements, such as walking, standing up, sitting down, lunging etc, teaching students to observe their own habits of tension and at the same time promoting new ways of moving with greater ease.
There is also "lying down work", where the teacher adjusts the student’s alignment lying down, focusing on the spine and major joints to promote relaxation and awareness. Lessons are around 40mins in duration. Like learning anything, the Alexander Technique takes time and lessons can vary from a few to many.
- The way we react and use ourselves as a whole affects the quality and way that we function in our daily lives
- To see yourself, the individual, as a complete and harmonious entity, all the parts working in coordination with each other as one
- Reclaiming our natural governance and gracefulness in motion. What we have covered up with habit
- The unblocking and reestablishing of awareness and proprioception as a sensory skill for every day life, to avoid injury and pain
- Practising giving ourselves choice by consciously pausing and refraining to act impulsively
- Self-directing pathways to balance and coordination
- Rediscovering personal dignity by prioritizing what is most supportive for ourselves while we work
- Trusting and allowing the integrity and intelligence of our innate selves to shine
- Everyone who is interested in self development, from child to adult
- Anyone wishing to improve their general co-ordination, posture and awareness
- People in a profession where their own movement requires care and direction
- Dancers, Actors, singers, musicians, artists, teachers and anyone in the public eye
- People with breathing or vocal difficulties and excessive tension
- People who suffer from pain related to mis-use of the body and postural habits, including back, neck and shoulder pain
- People to cope with situations of undue or extended physical or emotional stress
Contact an Alexander teacher and discuss your situation to book an initial lesson. You can then gauge if the technique addresses your particular needs and concerns.
All the members of ATTSNZ have attended a three-year full-time training programme approved by an Affiliated Society, and are bound by the ATTSNZ Code of Ethics.
ATTSNZ:
http://www.alexandertechnique.org.nz/
Has had a varied and international career in dance. He has been a dancer with The Australian Ballet Company, Nederlands Dans Theater and Ballet Frankfurt and has taught in some the worlds foremost Ballet companies including The Australian Ballet, The Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Frankfurt, The Vienna Stadtsoper Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet, The Tokyo Ballet and for five years was a regular guest teacher for the Bejart Ballet - Lausanne, Switzerland. From 1987 - 1990, he was a senior tutor at the Australian Ballet School, Australia's foremost dance institution and has choreographed for both Ballet and Opera.
His interest in the work of F. M. Alexander has developed along side his work in dance. Having completed his Alexander training in Fribourg, Switzerland, Timothy has given workshops, private sessions and has written about the influence of the Alexander Technique on Dance and Ballet in particular.
"Every dancer must learn to work with their own unique creative potential, structure and ability. Not by forcing the structure and mind into submission but by allowing the creative act to unfold in a holistic and consciously directed manner. This reveals what the art of dance is all about—expressive unity."
TIMOTHY GORDON and Mercedes Villanueva
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