Alexander Technique
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What is the Alexander Technique?
F. Matthias Alexander developed the Alexander technique in the late 1800s. The technique is a well-known Western system, whereby the conscious control of muscule and body movement is accomplished in order to reduce muscular tension.
Therapeutic elements:
Ideological basis for the Alexander Technique is based on an observation made by Alexander. He pointed out that if an individual develops a pattern of movement over a prolonged period of time, and the movement is found to be creating a negative effect a person, it should not be suddenly replaced with a new movement, which is in opposition to the undesired movement. What the individual should do, is to stop making the undesirable movement not necessarily to change the movement.
Methodological basis involves a term coined by Alexander, which he named "Primary Control Mechanism". He suggests that if the neck and the spine are in harmony and have a balanced relationship, what he calls antigravity reflexes become operant.
Method:
Alexander found that for body posture and body mannerisms were deep habitual patterns of behavior, which typically respond very poorly when asked to change. Because of this tendency not to change, the Alexander Technique employs a hands-on approach. The Alexander teacher as they are called, will actually teach the individual how to maneuver his or her body properly. For example, the hands of the teacher will physically guide the actual process of sitting in a chair and then rising again. The typical teaching lesson or session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and occasionally lasts longer.
The Alexander technique is not necessarily a therapeutic model, more accurately it is a change in lifestyle model. For it can induce a therapeutic reaction in a student over time, due to the student learning to control his or her body motions and movements more holistically. By doing so, the student will receive as a byproduct, a healthy lifestyle and improved immune system and will have less disease.
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