What happens in a lesson?

Alexander Technique is not a treatment. It is movement education. Just as you need time to learn how to speak French or play the piano, you need a series of lessons to practice a new way of moving.

One of the most exciting aspects of learning the Technique is gaining more control over your body. When you come for lessons, Joan teaches you to become aware of movement habits that contribute to your symptoms or get in the way of your best functioning. You learn how to identify and reduce tension. You learn a specific method of restoring your body's natural ease and poise. In your first lesson, Joan listens to your symptoms and concerns, asks about your goals and explains the basic ideas of the Technique. Then she observes how you move and shows how the Alexander Technique's principles apply to you, your symptoms and challenges.

An Alexander studio contains a mirror, some anatomical models and illustrations, a bodywork table and chair. One part of the lesson is on a bodywork table. The teacher gently guides you to be more aware of your body and tension patterns while encouraging your muscles to lengthen. That brings more space into your joints.

During a soothing table session, you learn
* how to be aware of unconscious muscular tension
* how to undo the tension that prevents free movement
* how to use the body/mind connection to engender ease

Another part of the lesson is in movement - ordinary or specialized. Though Joan will guide you through each activity and have ideas for each lesson's theme, you can choose the focus of each session. You can focus on improving how you walk, sit at your desk, reach into the trunk of a car or lift a heavy box. You can also work on how you swing a tennis racket, give a speech, sing a song, lift weights or play the trumpet.

The Alexander Technique is not a thing to do. It is a way to do things.
Since it is an approach to movement, you can apply it to anything - from lifting
a baby to giving a corporate presentation. Learning how to use the body well
can bring a new depth, focus and pleasure to all our activities, for the rest of our lives.