How Does the Alexander Technique Work?

Throughout its history, AT has received support from within the scientific and medical communities. Experimental findings have supported its effectiveness

Alexander Technique researcher Frank Pierce Jones provided an explanation of how it works. He hypothesized that:

1. Humans possess a reflexive response to gravity which primarily involves a certain relationship between the head, neck and back. This "anti-gravity" response influences how we act and function.

2. The anti-gravity response can be interfered with by habits that disturb the optimal head, neck, back relationship.

3. By learning to perceive and inhibit this interference, we can facilitate the anti-gravity response and enhance our functioning and performance.

Reading about the AT or participating in group classes can provide a useful introduction and important insights for continuing study. However, experiences required for learning AT are non-verbal and best conveyed through individualized, hands-on instruction. Lessons involve learning how to experience oneself as an organism-as-a-whole-in-an-environment. Specific problems are addressed indirectly by means of this general, organism-as-a-whole approach.

 -- Bruce I. Kodish, Ph.D., P.T. , © 1998

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