Alexander Lessons in Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire
What is the Alexander Technique?
Mindful Awareness in Everyday Life
The Alexander Technique is a unique method that promotes awareness of mind and body in everyday life. It teaches you how to let go of tension and how to open out your body from compression, enabling you to move more easily and to react with an increased freedom of choice.
The Technique is gentle and therapeutic and at the same time, educational, giving you the tools to resolve unwanted habit patterns.
You can apply the Technique to everything you do from sitting at your desk to gardening, DIY, driving, public speaking, hobbies… the list is endless.
- Reduce unwanted tension
- Improve your posture
- Reduce pain
- Manage stress
- Learn to use appropriate effort
- Regain poise and inner calm
- Learn a skill for life
What to expect in a lesson
A typical one to one lesson lasts 35 – 45 minutes. Some people chose to have a longer session of one hour.
During a lesson, simple everyday movements are explored such as sitting, standing, walking, working at a desk and bending. A lying down relaxation is often part of the session.
You are taught fully dressed. Verbal instructions and gentle hands-on guidance help you to feel more aware of your body, creating a striking new awareness and a more fluid way of moving. With practice, this carries over to the rest of your life.
An initial introductory lesson is the first step after which a course of lessons is recommended. Some private health insurance schemes and GP practices will pay for Alexander Technique lessons.
Most people find lessons relaxing and calming, enjoyable and interesting.
The stresses of modern life
Everyday life can take its toll on our mind and body. Hunching over the wheel, gripping the mouse, or simply running late creates patterns of tension that may stress joints, muscles and mind.
These compressed postures become a habit and can lead to chronic back and neck pain, headaches, breathing problems and a general decline in our well-being.
Alexander Technique enables our body to “relearn” good posture and then maintain it – whatever life sends our way. It has been described as “embodied mindfulness in everyday life”.
The Semi Supine or “Constructive Rest” Relaxation Exercise
52 reasons to try Alexander Technique in 2017
“Of all the different therapies I’ve tried to cope with my back and neck pain, Alexander Technique has been by far the most helpful”
J.Teakle, Cheltenham
“After 20 years of back pain I can now carry my shopping again!”
P. Howarth, Stroud
I have been a practitioner of the Alexander Technique for 33 years after completing a three year full time training course in 1987. I am member of the governing body, STAT (The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique). I am fully insured and covered by a Code of Ethics.
I work mainly on a one to one basis but also offer introductory group sessions and talks. For several years I taught at the BBC in Bristol and at the Bristol Alexander Technique Training School where I was the Assistant Director.
I am passionate about helping people find strategies for reducing pain and have recently been involved in a unique evaluation of the Alexander Technique working with chronic pain sufferers at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol. I love teaching children and teenagers and seeing how easily they learn this life-enhancing technique.
My Alexander Technique practice operates from The Garden Room – a beautiful space dedicated to healing and learning. It is an annexe of my home in Frampton on Severn in Gloucestershire. Sessions are gentle, therapeutic and respectful.
