The Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is a method for improving your natural posture and balance in everything you do. It helps by teaching you awareness of your body in movement, helping you to identify and prevent harmful postural habits that may be the cause of stress and pain.
Our bodies have been efficiently designed by nature, but modern life takes its toll on them. Over the years, through work and lifestyles, we tend to develop tense habits of movement that cause back and shoulder aches, stiff necks, headaches, sore knees and other ailments that can affect our quality of life.
With the Alexander Technique you learn to undo years of tension and strain accumulated through poor body use. As you learn to change harmful habits, you will improve your co-ordination and increase your energy and wellbeing.
Learning the Alexander Technique
You learn the Technique in one-to-one sessions. Most people notice changes from early on, and with regular lessons are able to effect permanent change.
As I analyse your patterns of tension, you will learn about your own good use, allowing you to begin to move more freely, and to improve your posture. As you learn to recognise your own harmful habits, you gain the ability to change those habits into lighter, more fluid movements.
The number of lessons you require depends on your individual needs and goals. A beginner course of 10 lessons will help you assess the benefit of the Technique for yourself. An intermediate course of 20 to 25 lessons is recommended to be able to sustain lasting results and allow continuous self-improvement.
Sessions: Where and When
I teach from Central London (Underground: Holborn) and Peckham, South East London. I teach Monday – Friday including later sessions in evenings, and Saturday mornings. I also run small group introductory workshops in Central London on Saturdays.
If you’d like to find out more about what it’s like to have lessons, you can try the Alexander Technique for yourself by having an introductory session with me. If you would like to have a chat in advance, please feel free to phone or e-mail me without obligation.
About Me
I am a qualified Alexander Technique Teacher (MSTAT) and a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Originally from Puglia in Italy, I came to the Alexander Technique when I sought it out to help with a debilitating neck pain. Thus inspired, I trained to become a teacher, qualifying in 2008.
As well as teaching individuals and groups, I act as a consultant on using the Technique for postural education in the health sector in NHS hospitals around the United Kingdom and private corporations, and lead workshops on strategies to improve posture in the workplace for a range of clients. I run bespoke in-house ‘Stress Management Training with Alexander Technique’ programmes for self-development and mindfulness. I currently assist in training teachers of the Technique at the CityATS training school, and regularly serve as a voice for the Technique in the media.
Some comments made by my students over the years:
Today, when I came for my lesson I told you my back was aching and that I had just had a very stressful day at work. At the end of my lesson the backache had all but gone. Quite miraculous really! Thank you, Antonella.
– Singer, London
When I came to you and the Alexander Technique I was in a bad way. Now, my wrists are not hurting, my hips are not hurting, my shoulders feel they are where they need to be and I look taller. Thank you!
– Education professional, Oxford
I am telling everyone I know about the Alexander Technique. I am now calm, I feel in control and when I occasionally have bad days, because you have taught me to recognise my poor postural habits and muscular tensions I feel I now know how to address those tensions so that I can use my body much more effortlessly. Sensational really!
– Psychologist, London
A friend of mine had lessons with you, she recommends you. She said: “You must go and have lessons with Antonella, she is an exceptional teacher”. First I thought “oh what’s the point, at this point?” Then I changed my mind. I am very glad I came.
– Media professional, London
The Alexander Technique has changed my attitude to myself. While before I was getting tense and had not noticed until I was in pain, now I can feel myself tensing up and I go “ha I am tensing!” I apply my directions and I feel my neck instantly release. Transformative! Thank you.
– IT specialist, London