Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique Basics with Jano Cohen
Need 3 students to run. $120; Call 610-649-7227
Introduction to Alexander Technique Classes
Friday evenings $30 for 1 1/2 hours; Alexander Technique Sessions are also offered.
About Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique is a neuro-muscular/psycho-physical conscious re-education of one's reactions to the stimuli.
Founded and developed by F.M. Alexander in the late 1800's, Alexander Technique allows one to function fully, maximizing their abilities to perform any activity very effectively, with ease, freedom, and grace. Alexander Technique is based on developing greater awareness and integration of body and mind through the principals of this technique.
Practicing Alexander Technique is a mindful process that encourages active thinking, continuous awareness, and choice. People who practice Alexander Technique develop a sensory intelligence.
As human beings we have a tendency to turn our experiences (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) into tensions that we carry in our bodies. This happens when a protective mechanism is activated, when we think we are in danger and feel the need to protect ourselves. However, if these tensions stay with us for too long, they become our habits that we are no longer aware of. Alexander Technique becomes extremely useful in these situations; first it makes you aware of where you are in space and what you are holding in your body, and than it gives you tools to aid the situation.
It takes certain maturity, readiness, and curiosity to study the Alexander Technique. Even if you are just a little curious, you should try it, because you might just find out that it is for you, and that it can help you resolve numerous issues in your life.
To make it easier for you to decide whether it is for you or not,
here are some clues:
- do you feel stressed, anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, sad?
- do you feel tired a lot?
- do you have any kind of pain (back, neck, knees, etc.)?
- do you have problems digesting food, sleeping, sitting, or performing any kind of activity?
- do you suffer from headaches, having trouble concentrating, sitting
- still, feeling uncomfortable in your body?
- do you have cold feet, hands, nose, ears?
- do you have any numbness in your body? do you have any bad habits, you
- would like to get rid of?
- do you feel stuck?
- do you feel that your body language is unclear?
- would you like to improve the quality of your performance in any
- activity?
- Would you like to improve the quality of your life?
If you answered "YES" to any one of these questions and you are feeling brave, you should try the; you have nothing to lose, but tensions and bad habits. Alexander Technique can be taught verbally, through touch, or the combination of both. If you are not comfortable with someone touching you, let your teacher know. Alexander Technique can be taught very effectively without touch. You may choose to change your mind somewhere down the line, but it is your choice.
The touch that is used to teach Alexander Technique is a very respectful, accurate, mindful, non-manipulative, supportive, and non-sexual. However, if you are having a bad "touch" day, you should let your teacher know that you would not like to be touched today, the lesson can go on verbally, and whenever you are ready to receive teaching through touch again, it will always be there.
Alexander Technique is not designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease, although most likely what causes the disease is "dis-ease"; can take care of that. Also we have to acknowledge that we have such intelligent bodies and minds, that we are designed to heal ourselves, if there are no negative" interferences at least on the physical level.
There is really no need to separate; it comes together in one package: body, mind, spirit. When we take care of ourselves on all of these levels, we do have greater ability to perform any activity. If one feels "stuck", the interference of another intelligent mechanism (human being in this case can be invaluable. As a society we tend to underestimate this fact. I hope, this gives you enough to think about and I hope, you will decide to come and experience the beauty and wonders of the Alexander Technique.