The Alexander Technique
About the Alexander Technique
Those who have not experienced The Technique often think of it as “something to do with posture”. In a way that is true since posture is an observable reflection of how the physical muscle structure is being used in dynamic situations like sitting, standing, walking, running, dancing as well as writing, speaking and singing.
Considered another way, the brain moves the muscles so, the way the muscles are moved (sequence, timing, accuracy, appropriate tension, balance) reflects how the brain is functioning. This is why a more accurate description of The Alexander Technique is “Thinking in activity”. The ability to think in activity is influenced by many factors including :-
- Infant reflexes not fully integrated in childhood.
- Poor postural training and discipline.
- Unhelpful furniture/seating – at home, in vehicles, at school.
- Stress – depressing and limiting brain function.
More information about The Alexander Technique can be found by visiting the official web site at www.stat.org.uk [opens in a new window].
- The training to become a fully qualified Teacher of the Alexander Technique is lengthy and demanding. It is strongly recommended to only work with a Teacher who has gone through the full process.
- Members of the Ladder of Learning team are fully qualified Teachers of The Alexander Technique.
Books
Summary table
Click on a title or scroll further down to find a brief description of each product.
| The Art of Changing | £12.99 |
| The Art of Running | £9.99 |
| The Art of Swimming If you are interested in “The Art of Swimming” then please go directly to: www.artofswimming.com [opens in a new window]. |
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Descriptions
Following are further details of these products:
£12.99
The Art of Changing
A introduction to the Technique applying Alexander's principles to everyday situations. Guides the reader to greater self awareness of the detailed "how" they currently perform these everyday tasks and proposes Alexander's "means whereby" to explore effective change.
288 pages; large format paperback; new edition with more illustrations and photographs.
£9.99
The Art of Running
If you are into running this book shows how to use Alexander's principles to achieve a more efficient and effective running technique .....and avoid injury.
144 pages; paperback with illustrations and photographs.
School Furniture
Most people would agree that the plastic moulded chairs and flat topped non-adjustable tables commonly standard in UK schools are very unhelpful in promoting good posture, skeletal and muscular health. Such wide spread use has been largely driven by cost and a lack of understanding of the longer term consequences for the nation’s health (e.g. the staggering 52+ million working days lost each year in the UK through back pain. National Back Pain Association).
For some years the EU has been considering new draft regulations for furniture in educational establishments. It is being reported that these draft regulations are now agreed and should be presented to the European Parliament in 2005.
Stage Systems is one UK company that has developed and produced a range of ergonomic desks and chairs for primary and secondary pupils, called “Q-Learn”, that will meet these new regulations.
For further information check out:
www.stagesystems.co.uk
[opens in a new window]
click on Products, then Q-Learn.