Is this class for you?
Do you have physical pain that sets you back? Does it occur at the same time or when you are doing the same thing? Do you feel discomfort in your everyday life?
If you answered yes to one or more questions then this class is for you.
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Most of us don’t pay too much attention to how we walk up stairs, type at the computer, work or cook dinner. At some point these tasks became routine, leaving our minds to wander. Yet, if pain is experienced you are exceptionally aware in that moment. You zone in, you block out the rest, you fight the pain, you block or protect the area. Yet the pain comes back next time. So, now what?
Alexander Technique(AT) is an educational system that teaches a student to allow body movement instead of rigid holding, reduce physical strain and find sustainable practices to continue after leaving the AT studio. An AT teacher will combine thoughts, emotions and body with how you relate to and live in your world.
Not sure what that means? Keep reading:
Activities like typing and texting are fine motor movements; the fingers, hands and wrists have a lot of action. As you work at the computer, the larger muscles in the arms, back, torso and legs need to stabilize for an extended period. Together, these refined, small movements while large muscles are overworking to sit up can be tiring. The reverse can happen as well, heavy lifting and moving can lead to focus on bending knees, leaving out other involved joints at the hips, arms as well as smaller muscles. Long work days require persistence in the moment and can therefore quickly spiral down, leading to pain and injury.
There are two basic injury categories:
• acute- sudden and short term
• chronic- pain continues for three or more months
It is possible an injury can be both “acute on chronic”. These injuries frequently occur because of overuse, misuse, lack of muscle support and bad luck. Here is a brief description of each:
Overuse– tightly holding the same physical position for extended periods of time without alternative range of motion options, change or rest causing stress in one or more areas of the body.
Misuse– using your body in a way that defies natural physical design. This comes in numerous forms and can happen when you rely heavily on one part of the body without paying attention to the way you are using it or how it affects the rest of the body. Example: concentrating on your shoulders to sit upright while ignoring the rest of your arm, head, back and body.
Lack of muscle support- having underdeveloped musculature necessary for holding tools or position required. The physical stamina required is not necessarily built through tasks alone. Example: a professional athlete building upper body tone would do push-ups and the opposing muscle building exercise; pull-ups.
Bad Luck- being in the wrong place at the wrong time or being subject to something outside your control.
Once you have an injury it is important to slow down. Figure out what happened and why. Seek a medical doctor and physical therapy if recommended.
Alexander Technique is mind, emotion and body in relation to your world and activities you do in your day. When studying AT you will learn moment by moment a new way of thinking and kinesthetic (sense) understanding. This is best learned over a period of time through group classes and/or private instruction followed by personal application.
Following are some new student scenarios and examples of how studying Alexander Technique applies to mind, emotion, body and environment.
How thoughts interfere with action:
Anne learned to play the violin when she was 8 and is now 45. The conditions of her physical self have changed, as well as how she uses her body. The directions she was given when learning the instrument no longer apply. Without realizing, Anne continues to follow outdated advice.
How emotions interfere with thinking:
John is upset about his responses at a recent job interview. He is now preparing for the next and continues to replay in his mind what he considers a failure from the last interview.
How body interferes with thinking:
David has pain in his lower back. Everyday David dreads going to work because of the pain he endures to complete the job.
It is easy to think only about the parts you use most, perhaps hands, arms or back. There is a system of support within you that is reliable if given attention. Time spent learning about the stability of bones, the strength of muscles, and the stacking of organs upon themselves will refine your physical understanding. As humans, we each have the ability to “right” ourselves. Humans were not designed without structure, like an amoeba. Without support in your body, you would be a puddle on the ground. Human bodies are designed to be upright. As a child you sought out this ability and it can be accomplished again without excess effort. The Alexander Technique seeks to regain the ability to relate and respond easily while supporting your upright stature.
Want to know more? Come to class. Check it out for yourself.
If you would like to talk about Alexander Technique please contact me through your preferred method of communication: email: kansascityalexandertechnique at gmail dot com or phone (989)-506-5327.
Kansas City Alexander Technique 