Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a method of self-help which focuses on identifying harmful postural practices or poor habits which can be the cause of, or contribute to pain. This pain can be joint related, such as arthritis, muscular/skeletal, respiratory or stress related. Using the Alexander Technique can also be a great support in pregnancy and childbirth.

Through the success of the ‘Stem Sessions’ in Sussex, feedback requests longer and more sessions.

Liz Jeffries, the Alexander Technique teacher who continues to develop freedom of movement further, introduced this exciting concept of Stem Sessions earlier this year says

"The workshops have been fantastic and feedback from those who have attended has been that they have derived great benefit in releasing tension, back and knee pain and they are enjoying walking much more!"

How the Alexander technique can help riders with pain.

Marie is a very active person, she rides daily and looks after Gabriel herself, which involves a great deal of physical labour. Gabriel is a ‘barefoot' horse, meaning he is unshod and Marie does not use a bit in his bridle. He doesn't live in a stable, but in a field with a small herd of other horses.

Do you know what is common to all of them? The title might have given you a clue- yes it's posture. The way we use our bodies, our habits of walking, sitting and going about our daily life are all influenced by our chosen posture. Most people think simple when they think about posture. Concepts such as stand up straight, or sit properly. If only it were so simple. Posture is a subtle business, more to do with habitual thought patterns influencing muscle action than anything else. In other words, posture is an internal matter, not an external shape.

These sessions are for everyone who would like to improve the way they walk and alleviate pain. Whether you are a bad back sufferer or have arthritis, your health will benefit from ‘Stem Sessions'. Based on the principle of a flower heavy in bloom and needing support from the stem, your head needs support from your body - your stem!

Each Stem Session is in two parts, the first is indoor, where Alexander Technique is explained, demonstrated and taught.

Lying down is something we all do. We do it each night when we sleep; some of us do it on a beach or as a yoga practise. Those who practise the Alexander Technique however, do it for different reasons; they do it to refresh their spine.

The Alexander Technique is a gentle but positive approach to human balance that teaches people to enhance their breathing, co-ordination and movement.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) works alongside conventional medicine to help heal the body. The House of Lords Science and Technical Committee's report on complementary therapies divides them into three distinct groups: -

Back pain, headache, neck stiffness, inflamed joints- have you ever wondered if your aches and pains stem from something you are doing to yourself? Perhaps it is the way you unconsciously tighten your back to sit and stand, or the result of constantly narrowing your shoulders and shortening the muscles in the back of your neck as you deal with the daily pressures of life.