We are in a new precocious time with the invention of the smart phone. We need to considering how we use ourselves when we interact with this technology. Most people suffer from back pain due to the long hours they spend in front of the screen. Rarely, does anyone think about the importance of good posture when engaging with their smart phones. Evidence is proving that you should! Most people spend an average of 2-4 hours hunched over their screens a day. When you develop bad habits while using a computer or smart phone, over time, chronic pain and discomfort will develop. Soon there may be warning labels on the packaging to alert people that too much screen time is harmful to their posture. Chiropractors have been noticing this new trend. Dr Steve August, who has been in practice for more than 30 years, is now reporting that adults in their 20's and some teenagers are developing the 'widow's hump', a deformation of the upper spine that resembles the hunch back of Notre Dame. Dr. August, published an article in a New York Times article about “How the iphone is ruining your posture” and dubbed this new posture as the ihunch. My personal favorite is text neck. New research in biomechanics is revealing that young people are developing bone spurs on the base of their skulls due to the forward tilt of the head. Recently, the Washington Post published an article on this finding titled,"'Horns' are Growing on young people's skulls. Phone use is to blame, research suggests". By studying the Alexander Technique you will gain a set of skills through a re-educational process that will allow you to coordinate yourself for an optimal, pain free life while interacting with technology.
Why is the Alexander Technique so important for musicians?
The Alexander Technique has helped thousands of musicians and singers perform with less stress allowing them to perform with ease and fluidity. This approach to movement greatly reduces this risk of pain and injury. The physical demands on musicians due to complex movements of muscular tension result in pain, stiffness and injuries. 76% of all musicians have medical problems that effect their ability to play, due to misuse in the body and RSI (repetitive strain injury). By helping musicians improve the quality of the physical actions involved in playing an instrument or singing, the Alexander Technique also helps improve the quality of the music itself. A violinist's stiff shoulders and arms will get in the way of a pleasing sound; a singer's tight neck or jaw will cause the voice to become less resonant.Once the musician can get out of their own way by freeing undue muscular tension their performance is a more organic and fluid experience.
The Alexander Technique is a re-education of the body that investigates a new concept of moving by recognizing one’s habit of movement and redirecting those energies into a a more holistic approach using one’s own mechanism (the body) as a whole as opposed to parts resulting in an ease of movement.
Over the years, a number of prominent musicians have publicly endorsed the Alexander Technique: Yehudi Menuhin, Paul McCartney, Sting, Julian Bream, James Galway and the conductor Sir Adrian Boult, to name but a few.
The Technique is taught at the Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York, The Royal College of Music in London, The Boston Conservatory of Music, The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and at many other schools of music, universities and colleges.
Resource for Musicians:
Introductory Workshop of the Alexander Technique
Wednesday, November 7th from 13:00-14:00
Cost: 60 euros: includes 1 hour introduction of the technique plus 1 -45 minutes private class, scheduled at your convenience.
To register or for more information go to:
alexanderbarcelona.com; classes
Address: Carrer Sant Pere Martir 50 bajos BCN FGC stop: Gracia; Parking next to school
**classes in spanish available
Upcoming Workshop on Friday April 27th
Introductory Workshop of the Alexander Technique
When: Friday, April 27th from 2:00pm-3:30pm. Wine & tapas included.
Where: Carrer Mercedes 18 1-3, Barcelona (close to the main entrance to Parc Guell)
https://goo.gl/maps/Moco59D2Pvo
* street parking available
Price: €50: includes 90 minute group intro workshop and three (3) 30 minute private classes to schedule at your convenience
Go to "Classes" in Navigation and purchase the package, https://www.alexanderbarcelona.com/classes/
My First Alexander Technique Experience
My first experience with the Alexander Technique was in 1987 during my first semester of my undergraduate program. I registered for a class called “Introduction to the Alexander Technique”. I remember the experience of feeling light and the ease of movement. It was a distinct and special experience. I was 18 years old at the time and had no chronic pain nor had I ever suffered any injury. Fast forward 25 years later after a memorable performance career, almost 20 years of teaching dance and 3 children later, I was in chronic pain every day. I would wake up limping due to the pain in my hip and knee and imagining myself in a wheelchair at 80! After seeking medical attention, going to many specialist, physical therapist, acupuncture, massage & sports doctors, I was as frustrated as ever thinking that I would never again be pain free.
Now, getting back to the Alexander technique and how it all connects to a happily ever after. At the time, I was teaching dance at Dean College in Massachusetts and had attended a national dance conference in Chicago. One of the paper presentations I attended was a comparison of the Alexander technique to Bactine’s writings. This reminded me of my undergraduate days whenI first learned about the Alexander Technique. I decided to investigate more and found a teacher training school just a short walk from my house where I was living near Boston. I thought this was incredibly unusual and that I had to go visit the school. After attending AT classes for only 4 months, to my complete surprise and amazement all my chronic pain over the last 3 years had disappeared completely! It was almost a miracle. I was completely relieved and grateful and felt the desire to share my experience with others.
I decided to quit my job and enroll for the 3 year teacher training program. Now as a certified teacher I want to share my experience and knowledge to help others lead a more fulfilling and pain free life. Next year I will turn 50 but my physical self feels like I am 30! No more daydreaming about wheel chairs!!!
Welcome!
Welcome to my AT Website Blog. It is here that I will post musings, observations and thoughts about the Alexander Technique - it's impact to my students and I...and the needs I see for this in the world around me.