Alexander Technique
West Hobart 1:1 classes
50 minutes for $70
Suitable for all ages and levels of experience
What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is a way of transforming stress into joy. It uses practical thinking to create whole-body habits to restore ease of breathing, balance, and movement.
We use this technique to shine a light on inefficient habits of movement and tension in the body and mind that interfere with our innate ability to move easily and express ourselves freely.
It is a hands-on teaching tool that explores sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities; while also being an exceptional embodiment tool for artists in their chosen craft.
The Alexander Technique is a subtle yet powerful tool that offers us the opportunity to take charge of our own learning and healing journey.
Why do we love it?
The Alexander Technique and creative art-forms are like best friends.
Both can bring us into physical coordination and presence.
For example, I first began studying this technique in 2013 through my theatre and performing arts training. When on stage, I began to realise that my tight shoulders, clenched jaw, and shortened breath was mirrored by the audience. They could feel what I felt in my own body. But when I was able to remember my animal body and apply the Alexander Technique to free my neck, breathe deeply and return to full-body presence, my acting work improved, and the audience found connection to me once more.
It completely revolutionised my experience of myself and the craft I love.
This technique is a pillar of my acting work and teachings.
What does a session look like?
What’s NOT going to happen:
I will not poke you, prod you, twist you, bend you into any particular position or pose. This is not yoga or massage. And you will not be a passive participant in these sessions.
What WILL happen:
These sessions are designed to be slow and subtle. We want a calm nervous system and a receptive mind. This will allow gentle, steady, and subtle changes in your body as a result of clear thinking and the direction of my hands.
As I focus on my own coordination and good use of self, so that will stimulate your own coordination. This is both a somatic practice and a mental practice.
Typical activities in a session will include:
Simple and effective body mapping.
Looking closer at balance and poise through standing, sitting, walking and lying down.
An opportunity to investigate injuries or tensions from a whole-body perspective.
Applying this practice to your own artistic interests such as playing a musical instrument or acting work.
Learning the principals of the Alexander Technique and where they can apply to daily activities such as sitting at a desk, driving, washing dishes, and bending to pick something up.
So, what are the benefits?
Benefits current students have experienced:
Better sleep and ability to rest
A more positive mindset at work
Decrease in knee, shoulder, lower back, and neck pain
A rekindled desire to start painting again
Increased somatic sensitivity and awareness of the body
A calmer nervous system
A deeper connection to self and what is important (ie making aligned decisions and claiming what they really want in both study and work environments)
Authentic self-expression with friends, family, and peers
A confidence to try new things (such as freeform dance and moving meditation practices)
Benefits for artists and performers:
Developing an easeful and connected physical presence
Liberated movement that is authentic to you
The ‘how-to’ in forming a palpable connection to your audience that makes your work memorable
Steps to harness performance nerves and use them to your advantage
Tools to step out of self-criticism and into a celebration for how you do things
A supportive environment to workshop material in a playful and physically expressive way
Script/content breakdowns that are body/breath informed (not just mentally involved)
