by Wendy Mansfield
We have probably all experienced some sort of back pain in the course of our lives and often put it down to “old age”! Our speaker for the March meeting however put this down to “bad habits” instead. Andrea Walsh’s talk was billed as “How to have a Healthy Back” and she introduced us to the “Alexander Technique”. This technique has been around for 100 years and Andrea has been teaching it for 10 years. It is described as a “technique for the control of human reaction” and takes a holistic approach which aids physical and mental well-being.
Returning to the idea of “bad habits”, we have all observed small children and the way they are able to squat and sit effortlessly with a straight spine. As we grow older we develop bad ways of sitting and standing which put stress on our bodies, especially the spine. Modern life, sitting for long periods, looking at our phones and computer screens, slouching on sofas all take their toll. We were all asked to find our “sitting bones” and everyone duly felt under their bottoms to check we were sitting correctly! We were then asked to place our hands on our heads to feel our spine lengthening. The human head weighs approximately 10pounds and the face is the heaviest part so we tend to lean forward. The trick is to imagine you are wearing a crown in order to keep the head level. When standing up from a chair it should be the head that leads, not the legs. It is also important to bend from the hips, not the waist.
The Alexander Technique can offer pain relief, reduce tension, help with posture, improve performance and aid personal development. Studies have shown that 97% of people with back pain could benefit from the Alexander Technique. Lessons can be one to one or in groups and once the technique has been mastered there is no need for extending the lessons indefinitely. We all felt we had learnt something from this illuminating talk and left the meeting imagining walking with crowns on our heads!
