“You translate everything, whether physical or mental or spiritual, into muscular tension." F.M. Alexander 1869-1955
"Mr. Alexander has done a service to the subject [of the study of reflex and voluntary movement] by insistently treating each act as involving the whole integrated individual, the whole psychophysical man. To take a step is an affair, not of this or that limb solely, but of the total neuromuscular activity of the moment, not least of the head and neck." Sir Charles Sherrington 1857-1952, Neurophysiologist, Nobel Prize for Medicine 1932
The Alexander Technique was first developed in the 1890s by an Australian named Frederick Matthias Alexander. As a young and promising actor, Alexander faced a problem which risked ending his career - his voice would become increasingly hoarse during performances, until he could barely produce any sound at all. He consulted doctors, but they could not diagnose any specific disease or cause of the hoarseness. With no clear medical cause for his problem, Alexander reasoned that he might be doing something wrong when reciting, leading him to strain or "misuse" his own vocal organs. As his only resort was self-help, he decided to observe his way of speaking and reciting to see whether he could spot anything unusual and to find a solution.
What emerged from this experiment of several years was more than just a vocal technique. Alexander gradually realised that the functioning of the voice depended on the correct balance of tension in his entire neuromuscular system, from head to toe. Alexander developed his technique to encourage and maintain this balance through conscious attention and control, a technique which has become applicable to a wide range of problems and aims. In short, this balance was extremely important for overall coordination and many other functions, such as breathing, posture, freedom of the joints in moving the whole body, using the arms and hands for skilled activities, staying calm under pressure, and maintaining good overall health.
Gradually, as others noticed improved health and performance, he began to show his technique to those who came to him for help. From about 1894 onward, he had flourishing practices in Melbourne, and later in Sydney, until this teaching became his main occupation. A number of doctors referred patients to him, including Charles Bage, the Melbourne doctor he had once consulted for his voice trouble. Actors also flocked to him for help. In 1904, in order to gain more recognition for his Technique, and prompted by his friend JW Steward MacKay, an eminent Sydney surgeon, he moved to London, where he worked until his death in 1955.
"Instead of feeling one’s body to be an aggregation of ill-fitting parts full of friction and dead weights pulling this way and that, so as to render mere existence in itself exhausting, the body becomes a coordinated and living whole, composed of well-fitting and truly articulated parts." Sir Stafford Cripps, Former Chancellor of the Exchequer
"When an investigation comes to be made, it will be found that every single thing we are doing in this work is exactly what happens in Nature where the conditions are right, the difference being that we are learning to do it consciously." F.M. Alexander
What are some of the things I might learn through the Alexander Technique?
During your course of lessons, you can learn how to
-be poised and stand tall, without stiffness
-move gracefully and precisely, with greater ease
-be alert and focused, and calm at the same time
-be active and energetic, without excess effort or tension
-be more self-aware and coordinated from moment to moment so your effort is appropriate to the task at hand.
In this way, you can avoid discomfort and strain in your daily life and favourite activities, and prevent wear and tear on your body. In short, you can perform better and achieve more, while wasting less energy.
There is a lot more information on the website of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (30) and in books such as Michèle MacDonnell’s “Alexander Technique” (25). Richard Weis (32) uses the Alexander Technique extensively in his work on dressage riding technique.
My experience
I studied the Alexander Technique with Gloria Pullen, herself a dressage rider and teacher of teachers of the Alexander Technique.
Whilst Systems Thinking is the key to conscious learning for the mind, I believe that the Alexander Technique is the counter part for the conscious control of the self.
You must also be aware of what it doesn’t do. It does not build core strength and fitness. For this reason I recommend Pilates and a symmetrical fittening exercise involving rhythm and coordination such as swimming or cycling. If you are over-weight do consult your doctor and seek professional help with a weight reduction and fittening programme.
Pilates and the Alexander Technique are great for dealing with day to day stiffness and tension. Once you have learnt them you can use the techniques yourself when and where you feel the need. In contrast, physiotherapy, osteopathy and massage require the intervention of a specialist. They are invaluable for dealing with injuries and illnesses on the muscular-skeletal system. But at the end of the day no one will care as much for your body as you!
Having said that I do like to treat myself to a good sports massage every now and then. If I could afford it I would indulge myself much more often. Athletes have realised the benefits of massage as part of a total body regime. I wonder how many riders treat their horses to a massage but forget about themselves?
It takes time to learn body control and develop core strength and fitness. Start now and build these things slowly and sustainably.
In the appendix you will find more information on osteopathy and massage and how it can help the rider.
We all need to understand our own bodies. Notice things. Track the behaviour pattern. I feel a negative impact from activities like pulling soaking hay-nets out of buckets; lifting bags of feed; pulling up temporary fencing posts; and cold drizzly weather. I feel a positive impact from a hot power shower; massage, heat pads, and the heat of the sun.
What makes you feel worse/ better?