Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique promotes health, well-being and ease through a reorganisation of habits of awareness, action, posture, movement and balance. It offers an effective, intelligent approach to taking care of our bodies in our day-to-day activities, reducing emotional stress, and promotes health, well-being and improved performance in skilled tasks like music, sports and the arts.
Relaxed good posture
In the lessons, you learn to stop interfering with your body’s natural systems for movement, stabilisation, balance and support – allowing them to do their job so you can remain relaxedly free and upright without effort or strain. There’s no need to struggle to maintain a set posture or position or to feel you need to be trying to ‘hold yourself correctly’ or be pulling yourself into shape all the time. You find you can let go and let your neuromuscular system support and move you in a way that can feel quite magical, while relieving pressure and pain caused by over-tense muscles.
How it works
In the lessons, the teacher uses gentle manual guidance and simple verbal instructions to help you become aware of how you habitually respond to stimuli from the outside world and from your own nervous system. They may use hands-on contact to encourage your nervous system to quieten down, and to help you to become aware of things you do that keep you in cycles of stress and discomfort. In time this allows you to begin making choices that lead to relaxation and ease rather than worry, stress and overload.
My Background
I qualified as an Alexander Technique teacher over twenty years ago. I am also a musician, and have written a well-received book about the Technique which was published in 2024.
“Marcus has been a skilled and wise guide for me during a period of high stress and change, and I highly recommend him. I’ve learned to calm down, find balance, and find my voice.”
What it is and how it works
Most of us modern humans tend to approach the things we do with a lot more mental and physical tension than we need to. Rather than being graceful, open and free as we evolved to be, we often end up being rather stiff, held and uncomfortable. This puts a lot of stress and strain on our bodies and prevents us from accessing our full potential for skilled activity. In time, all that stress and strain may even result in injury or chronic pain of one sort or another.
The Alexander Technique shows you how to unlearn unhelpful habits that lead to unnecessary tension and stress – and to discover more helpful, harmonious ways of being and moving so that you can find greater ease and skilfulness in your life and in your favourite pastimes.
Free Trial Lesson
I offer a free half hour Alexander Lesson so you can learn more and experience what it is like for yourself.
Health and wellbeing for musicians and performers
The Alexander Technique can be particularly beneficial for performers such as musicians, dancers and actors.
Over the years, these kinds of activities can put strain on the body causing problems ranging from chronic aches and pains to voice difficulties, stress and anxiety. The Alexander Technique can help you to do things with less effort while reducing unnecessary muscular and mental tension enabling you to take part in activities you love or depend on for a living while taking care of yourself, now and for the future.
“Marcus is very professional, and his approach is both knowledgeable and sensitive. I feel that I have benefitted hugely from his lessons in Alexander Technique and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
Is the Alexander Technique for You?
The Technique is not a quick fix, and though having lessons also often has therapeutic benefits, it is not a 'treatment'. It’s something you experience, learn and apply for yourself. You can take what you have learned away with you, and it can help you to take care of yourself for the rest of your life.
It’s likely to be a good fit for you if:
You are ready to take responsibility for your own well-being and destiny and to make positive changes in the way you do things.
You like to learn new things and are willing to grow, change and enjoy the journey.
You are willing to commit a little time each day to working with what we are learning in the lessons.
Costs and Practicalities
How long does it take to learn?
The Alexander Technique involves changing longstanding habits. Like anything worthwhile, getting the benefits requires some commitment. It’s necessary to come for weekly lessons to begin with. For most people, 10-20 lessons is a reasonable minimum number to allow you to begin to explore effectively on your own. Given the effect on how you feel from day to day and the long-term effects on health and well-being, the benefit tends to be considerably out of proportion to the cost!
Fees
Each lesson lasts 30 minutes, and it is £30 per lesson. I also offer a discounted block of ten lessons for £270 (10% off) when paid in advance.
What to Wear
There is no need to wear special clothing, but you should wear something loose-fitting and comfortable, bearing in mind we may be working on the floor for part of the session.
“Marcus has brilliantly communicated the subtly of the technique and the very simple changes one can make so your body works as it is designed to. With great humour and patience he has helped me undo 70+ years of bad habits and my knees and walking vastly improved. I wish I’d tried it years ago!”
Free Trial Lesson
I offer a free half hour Alexander Lesson so you can learn more and experience what it is like for yourself.