TRYING TO HAVE GOOD POSTURE? IT COULD DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH

There is a lot of talk about the importance of good posture these days. You hear it in gyms, yoga sessions, Pilates and even the very popular barefoot running.


However when you say to people “Think about your posture” they tend to TRY and stand up straight, possibly holding onto their legs , heaving up their chests and even tensing their necks in the attempt to DO good posture.




We have a strange idea of what good posture is. We try and DO IT by putting ourselves in a position and fixing ourselves. Unfortunately most of the time we cannot maintain this and we tire and we might even injure ourselves doing exercise, as we are moving this tense body around.

So what is good posture ?

In Alexander Technique lessons I firstly state that one should never fix themselves in a position, whether sitting, standing or even lying down. If you do, you are fixing and probably tensing your muscles.

The force of gravity on us encourages our bodies to lengthen and widen and we have the potential to release and lengthen into activity eg: the movement from sitting to standing. We did this as a toddler and we can get back to it by thinking in a different way. See how good sportsmen and women use there bodies, they lengthen into activity in a very natural way.

Having good posture shouldn’t be a struggle and we should definitely not be using extra effort. With our minds we can change things and we can start to move in a more lengthening and widening way which will encourage freer breathing.

Firstly we must recognise if we are trying too hard. Are we gripping with our legs/buttocks? Holding our tummies in? tucking our tail bones under? Thowing our heads back?

If we can choose NOT to do those things we are half way there.

We then choose to lengthen and widen, not by DOING it or even using muscular effort but by thinking and allowing our bodies to move in a natural way.

In a way we are allowing gravity to take us up and be more springy like a toddler.

Why not get an Alexander Technique teacher to show you how.

For more information or to book an introductory session go to:

http://www.alexandertechniquebrighton.com/

The whole world is talking about the Alexander Technique

You’ve probably heard the news that the Alexander Technique is great for reducing chronic back pain (unless, of course, it’s old news to you– in which case you may already have thought about having some AT lessons yourself!) From the UK, to India, to the USA, to Canada, to New Zealand, STAT (Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique) has been busy telling the world about recent research published in the British Medical Journal, which showed Alexander Technique lessons give patients with chronic lower back pain important improvements in function, quality of life and reduce the number of days in pain. In fact, 24 Alexander Technique lessons reduce back pain by a colossal 85% - making it more effective than classical massage and normal GP care, or GP prescribed exercises alone.

STAT has always known the Alexander Technique is effective for alleviating many different conditions, but now the rest of the world has cottoned on to its clinically-proven effect on back pain. The media has been raving about the research, with hundreds of pieces of media coverage worldwide.

In the UK national papers alone there have been nine large articles.
The Daily Mail announced: “An old cure for a modern malaise: Alexander Technique can beat chronic back pain”.
The Daily Telegraph told its readers to “Sit up and take note of the best way to beat back pain”.
And The Guardian proclaimed the “Alexander Technique does ease back pain”.
So with the Alexander Technique a hot topic at the moment, what’s next for STAT? Keep yourself updated with news and events by visiting www.stat.org.uk and discover what the whole world is talking about.

How to turn back your age clock

The Independant published an article in its 'Health and Wellness' section on Tuesday 6th Jan titled - ' How to turn back your age clock' - There was a whole section on fixing your posture focusing on The Alexander Technique. Follow the link for full article:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/features/how-to-turn-back-your-age-clock-1227844.html

To find out more about Alexander Technique in Brighton go to:
www.alexandertechniquebrighton.com

News Flash - BMJ article on Economic Evaluation of Alexander Technique

I am pleased to announce that the following article was published online in the British Medical Journal yesterday 11th December 2008:

"Randomised controlled trial of Alexander Technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain: economic evaluation" .

The article concluded: " A series of 6 lessons in the Alexander Technique combined with an exercise prescription was the most effective and cost effective option for the NHS"

To view the complete article and watch the Video go to:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/337/dec11_2/a2656

Hope for back pain sufferers

Here is an article I wrote for 'Tutor Pages' - hope you find it interesting:
http://www.thetutorpages.com/tutor-article/subject-research/alexander-technique/hope-for-back-pain-sufferers/972