Alexander Technique Lessons
Are you curious about studying Alexander Technique? Read on to learn more about what it would be like to have in-person or online lessons!
Before I started in-person lessons, my only experience with Alexander Technique had been during a college seminar. My most memorable experience from that class was being asked to lift my bag using only the minimum force that was needed, which helped me make a less “lurchy” movement. That and other exercises from the class piqued my interest. Although it was many years until I revisited Alexander Technique, it was always something I had in the back of my mind.
When I went to my first lesson about seven years ago, my teacher gave me some background about the technique and said it would be a “hands on” experience.
When she started working with me, it seemed like I grew taller and expanded. That’s not surprising, since Alexander Technique reminds us to be our full three dimensional selves. It was a very freeing feeling when I wasn't collapsing in on myself.
Like many beginners, I wanted to maintain that feeling and was disappointed when I lost it. But as I continued my practice, I came to realize that I could find my way there more often and more easily.
Alexander teachers differ in their approach, but my teacher uses a combination of hands-on work and talking about how I’m thinking, or “directing”. When I’m directing myself, I’m telling myself what to think, and then my body follows those directions. When I’m moving well, the best thing to do is repeat the thinking that got me there, rather than try to reproduce some kind of feeling.
If you try Alexander Technique lessons, you’ll probably “relearn” some basic movements like walking, sitting, and going up stairs. As strange as that may sound, you’d be surprised how easily we can move through these activities and how different it can feel from our habitual way of doing them!
You may also lie down on the floor and practice something called constructive rest. In addition, your teacher might have you lie down on a table and do some hands-on work with you there. I always walk out of my lesson feeling great and moving easily, especially after a table lesson.
What I find especially beneficial about the technique is that it can make its way into everything we do. At this point, I find myself thinking about my “use” (the way I’m using my body) very often throughout the day. I find that it’s helpful to practice Alexander Technique whether I’m washing the dishes, walking up a flight of stairs, or playing the piano.
There’s nothing like a hands-on Alexander lesson, but what if you can’t find a teacher near you? Well, you’d be surprised how much you can accomplish online.
I recently began working with Ariel Weiss of Alexander Technique Philadelphia, who specializes in working with musicians. Since we’re working together online, we do a lot of directing (the type of thinking I mentioned earlier). I’m learning to think of certain things while I play the piano, and that thinking changes the way I move. I might be thinking of my elbows freeing or the connection between my sit bones and head while I play, for example. Ariel looks for the habit that is holding me back and gives me the appropriate directions so that I can expand instead of collapse, which always improves my playing.
I’ve also been attending Ariel’s weekly class for musicians. It’s great to see and hear other musicians improve as they’re learning to direct their thinking and allow their bodies to expand while playing.
There’s a lot of discussion in the Alexander Technique world about whether or not online instruction works. As someone who has experienced both in-person and online, I would say I’ve benefited from both.
F.M. Alexander came up with his method by observing himself in mirrors, cultivating awareness of his habits, and directing himself to choose differently and move differently. No one had hands on him to accomplish that.
That said, I value my hands-on experience very much. Having a skilled teacher communicate with their hands can deepen our comprehension of good use.
If you’re interested in exploring hands-on or online Alexander Technique, this website is a good place to find a teacher. And if you’d like to try Ariel’s class for musicians, you can sign up here and take your first class for free. (It’s not an affiliate link–I just highly recommend the class!)
Working with Alexander Technique can help us move with more ease during daily tasks and certainly while playing piano. Whether we’re taking a walk or playing a concerto, it’s possible to feel a sense of freedom and complete these tasks with less strain on our bodies.
If you’re a piano teacher who is curious about using Alexander Technique to help your students, download our free PDF guide. It will provide you with practices that can help your students move with more ease while they play.