LESSONSThe Alexander Technique is taught on a one-to-one basis, with lessons usually lasting around 40 minutes (longer for the first lesson). During a lesson, gentle guidance from the teacher’s hands, combined with verbal instruction, encourages the pupil to become aware of and release undue tension. As muscles let go and lengthen, pressure is taken off the joints, the pupil’s breathing frees up and they can come up to their full height with ease rather than stiffness. A sense of calm alertness often results.
A lesson includes chair work, which involves the pupil sitting, standing and bending. Chair work allows the pupil to notice how they hold themselves when at rest and as they react to a stimulus to move. A lesson may also include lying down work, where the teacher works on the pupil in a semi-supine position, with knees bent and the head supported. This position encourages further muscular release as the pupil is not required to support themselves. The back and joints are freed of weight and the spine is encouraged to lengthen, with the intervertebral discs benefitting from the release of pressure that the horizontal posture allows. Time may also be devoted to applying the AT to walking and other activities that the pupil engages in such as playing an instrument, typing or other movement. |
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How many lessons should I have?
Ideally, a student should have lessons as close together as possible in the beginning - at least one lesson per week but preferably more.
The number of lessons a pupil will choose to take depends very much on the individual, their needs and level of interest. A course of at least six to ten lessons is recommended initially, to get a basic understanding of the principles and how to begin applying them for yourself. A course of 30 lessons will give you a more thorough grounding in the Technique and allow deeper work on postural patterns and reactions that have developed over many years. Using the Alexander Technique is a bit like learning any other skill; people can start to use it to help themselves straight away and some find it so valuable they wish to keep having lessons continuously or intermittently over many years, or even for the duration of their life!
To book a lesson with Loretta or to make further enquiries with no obligation, phone 07949 190 595 or email loretta@greaterpoise.com
Ideally, a student should have lessons as close together as possible in the beginning - at least one lesson per week but preferably more.
The number of lessons a pupil will choose to take depends very much on the individual, their needs and level of interest. A course of at least six to ten lessons is recommended initially, to get a basic understanding of the principles and how to begin applying them for yourself. A course of 30 lessons will give you a more thorough grounding in the Technique and allow deeper work on postural patterns and reactions that have developed over many years. Using the Alexander Technique is a bit like learning any other skill; people can start to use it to help themselves straight away and some find it so valuable they wish to keep having lessons continuously or intermittently over many years, or even for the duration of their life!
To book a lesson with Loretta or to make further enquiries with no obligation, phone 07949 190 595 or email loretta@greaterpoise.com
