How long will it take?

Most people say they feel an improvement after 2-3 sessions, however for any lasting benefit a series of between 15-30 lessons is recommended.

A course of Alexander lessons will achieve two things:

It will leave you with a more reliable kinaesthesia so that you begin to move effortlessly and more fluently than you now do. You gradually stop causing yourself problems you had and couldn't sort out in any other way.

Even more important than your immediate results, you learn how to exert a more conscious control of your habitual reactions. You become able to continue your own re-education towards an ever more reliable kinaesthesia.

Welcome to the Alexander Technique practice

The first lesson

At our first one-to-one session we will discuss how Alexander Technique can help you.  I will begin teaching you how to change negative movement habits, reducing tension and encouraging more freedom in the body, using a combination of chair and table work.

You will learn about inhibition, the framework of all Alexander work. You will also learn a posture based relaxation that will encourage your body to let go of tension.

The first  sessions will for last for one hour. The following will take 45 minutes.

Please wear clothing that allows you freedom of movement.

Learning the Technique involves changing long-standing habits of movement. The Technique can be practiced wherever you are. It is suitable for people of all ages and levels of physical mobility.

3 countess road, London, NW5 2NS

for further information or to book your lesson please call

020 7485 2264 / 07813298257

The Alexander lesson

The lesson format is tailored according to the needs and objectives of each pupil. The aims are to improve the reliability of pupils' sensory appreciation and to assist them towards an understanding of the principles and practice of the Alexander Technique through a process of psychophysical re-education. As ability increases, they are able to apply these in the activities of their daily lives and to become self-managing and autonomous of the teacher.

The "how to" of the "mental" skills is not easy to describe precisely in words alone. It is for this reason that Alexander teachers use their hands in a specific and disciplined way to inform themselves about their pupil's manner of use and to demonstrate what is required. Uniquely, the teacher's own manner of use and success in applying the Technique to himself or herself in the lesson situation forms the basis of observational (visual and manual) and other teaching skills.

At a first lesson, pupils are advised to discuss any health concerns they may have with their medical adviser, if they have not already done so, to eliminate possible underlying organic causes. Medical diagnosis lies outside the remit of Alexander teachers but they are experts in assessing the quality of a person's manner of use. Various indications may be observed in this assessment including attitude, quality of attention, ease of movement, balance, smoothness of co-ordination, vocal resonance, efficiency of breathing, etc. In particular, the teacher will observe whether or not the pupil is tending to release and lengthen ("go up") or to tighten and shorten ("pull down") into activity. Self-prevention of inappropriate habitual reactions requires calm, quiet self-observation, avoiding "undue excitement of the fear reflexes" (Alexander 1923: 87). Pupils are taught how to inhibit their unsatisfactory habitual responses, particularly with regard to undue interference with the relationship between the head, neck and back, and to project directive "orders" consistent with an improved manner of use and functioning.

The number of lessons required depends on pupils' abilities to break long-standing habits and on certain natural aptitudes and qualities, especially the acuteness of their sense perceptions and development of their ability to "inhibit" unwanted habitual responses (Alexander 1923: 113 fn.). Lessons are in the main both challenging and fun, the overall experience being one of optimism and increasing confidence in one's abilities.

Making Connections:
An introduction to the Alexander Technique www.sat.org.uk