EXPERIENCE REPORTS
I could not sit upright for more than 10 minutes
A colleague at work told me about an Alexander teacher. Thank God for that. My story is the following: Basically, I used to live the life of an allergic. I was not able to simply leave home for a day, or go out to watch long films at the cinema, or even ride on the underground for more than a few stops. I could not sit upright for more than 10 minutes - my pains increased. It was impossible to overlook my posture and my twisted body.
My Alexander teacher gave me hope again by promising a special reward for taking Alexander lessons: "Make a completely new start and you will see the results for yourself".
And I really managed to relearn the basics - how to sit, stand and walk - and I relearned these movements as if I had never been able to do them before. Already three weeks later I could sit on the chair for two hours without interruptions. My recovery was complete. Only recently I made a 10-hour bike tour, and the only problem that occurred on that trip was a problem with my bike.
I'm still taking lessons, until this day, because the Alexander Technique offers more than that - and whatever I learn in one such lesson is something I will always remember, for my whole life.
The Alexander-Technique has become an important tool for me
My regular contact with the Alexander Technique (AT) has led to an improvement of my feeling for my own body and its needs.
Whenever I need a break or a rest during the day, I just take it and do not put it off for later. This is a perfect way to work against my tendency of putting myself under constant pressure.
Although the AT speaks of Alexander teachers and students, you never get the feeling that you're at school. The student is not instructed (in the negative sense of the word) but the teacher acts as a facilitator and helps the student discover ideal sequences of movements for daily activities so that they are carried out without any effort and without wasting energy unnecessarily.
The AT has become an important tool for me that accompanies my daily activities. I don't want to miss it any more. It has enriched my life, it has made it easier for me to work on my day-to-day routines, it has a relaxing effect, and, on top of that, it has encouraged me to learn more, not only about the AT.
Astrid S.