This term I've run several sessions introducing the Alexander Technique to Year 4 and 5 classes at Akiva School. It was with great delight that I popped back to class 5C this week, to see the children's lovely posters about the Alexander Technique, and the importance of taking care of their posture.
One of my students, who has found the Alexander Technique of great benefit in dealing with sciatica, recommends this book by Vidyamala Burch (Piatkus). Working with an athlete this morning, I found myself recalling the Alexander-ish words of coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 film 'Chariots of Fire'. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) has just been beaten by his Scots rival, Eric Liddle. He despairs of being able to run any faster. But Mussabini (played by Ian Holm) says he can give him 'two more strides'. He tells Abrahams to change three things:
I'm not sure if these lines have been retained in the stage adaptation, currently at London's Gielgud Theatre... The Alexander Technique exercise of lying down in semi-supine (ie with your head on some books and your knees bent) was one of the five top exercises for better posture in The Guardian last weekend - click here. (This photo is of me lying down in semi-supine on the beautiful island of Arran in 2013). I've just given a talk on the Alexander Technique to Class 5C at Akiva Primary School. Some great questions, including from one boy who asked whether, if we'd had a habit for many years, it took the same amount of time to get rid of it. In reply, I quoted Mark Twain: "Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man but coaxed down-stairs a step at a time." Yesterday I caught part of 'Piano Movements', a surprisingly interesting programme on BBC Radio 4 about the challenges of piano removal. Presenter Nick Baker asked the boss of a piano removal firm, "What makes a perfect piano remover?" The answer: 1) They take their time; 2) They have good balance - they can balance the piano rather than lift it all the time; 3) They have very good co-ordination; 4) They use technique so that they don't need to use so much physical effort. - All qualities which strike a chord (ho, ho) with the Alexander Technique... Backward-sloping school chairs are a disaster for children's health. They encourage children to slump, or to tighten unduly to try and maintain an upright posture. So why are school chairs designed this way? Because they're easy to stack! The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique has launched a petition to urge CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) to reassess the technical specifications relating to school chairs. Click here to find out more, and to sign the petition.
The NHS now has useful information about the Alexander Technique on its website, covering:
Worth checking out, particularly in relation to back pain and research into the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique. Click this link to find out more. |
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February 2023
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