Rachel Shaw is a qualified Alexander Technique teacher, and a member of The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), having completed a three-year full time course at Fellside Alexander Training School, Kendal. She is also a qualified massage therapist, this having been her profession for many years.
What
is the Alexander Technique?
It is named after Frederick Matthias Alexander who was born in 1869.
In trying to solve his own health problems, Alexander spent many years
of self observation and study and found that the way we move, feel and
think is fundamental to our overall functioning and well-being. The
technique is a practical self-help method in which you learn to be more
aware of how you use yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.
In our busy daily lives, we often pay little attention to how we are
carrying out an action, whether that be, for example, walking, climbing
the stairs or digging the garden, but rather we focus on the end result.
Unconscious 'misuse' often comes about due to stress, pressure, or maybe
discomfort, and over this time, misuse becomes our normal, habitual
way of being.
These unconscious habits can trap us in our thinking processes, our emotional reactions and in the physical tensions and stress patterns which lead to discomfort and pain in the body. The technique can help us to notice all these habits and have the opportunity to change them and the way we respond to everyday life. Many health problems are the result of the way we use ourselves.
Who
is it for?
Anyone can benefit. The technique can:
-
help with problems resulting from muscular tension and poor posture such as: back, neck, shoulder or joint pain; repetitive strain injury; headaches and migraines; asthma and respiratory problems; difficulty with co-ordination and movement.
- help manage stress and anxiety.
- aid rehabilitation after injury, illness or operations.
- prevent future pain and injury.
- give support during pregnancy.
- improve management of pain and disabilities.
- be used by musicians, actors and sports enthusiasts to improve performance.
- be used for self-development, awareness and discovery.
- help with TMJ problems.
Applying the technique can lead to greater freedom, ease, vitality, balance and co-ordination in whatever you do, and overall improvement of physical, mental and emotional well-being.