Alexander Technique lessons

Alexander Technique is best taught in one-to-one lessons of about 3/4 of an hour. The teacher uses their hands, often on the head, neck, shoulders and back, to guide you through simple movements or to release tension. At the same time a teacher uses their eyes to pick up on how you are doing and gives verbal instructions.

Since the Alexander Technique is about how you act, it can be applied to any action. The aim is to teach a skillful way of living in everyday life. I often start with everyday actions such as sitting, standing and walking in lessons and then work towards any specific activity that interests you.

Many lessons include lying on a massage table. I do not massage, but instead use words and hands to teach you how to release habitual tensions and find your own better place. This is a gradual process of cultivating a skill; the skill of learning what you can do to help yourself.

Pupils usually have a lesson a week. Some choose to have more frequent lessons (Alexander's pupils came every day!) and some experienced pupils just have a monthly or fortnightly "top-up".

It's natural to ask how many lessons you should have. Whilst the answer depends on what you need, your approach to lessons and aptitude, here are some hints. After eight to ten lessons, you should have an understanding of what the technique is, have experienced better use of your self in simple actions and have learned to apply these skills in your own life.

If, after three to five lessons, you feel nothing is happening you may want to consider why this is. I encourage you to raise this or ask people who know you if they have seen changes.