home   contact us   accessibility   gift vouchers   links   location & opening times   spotlight   terms & conditions   practise with us What is the Alexander Technique?     The Alexander Technique is a practical skill you can easily learn to help with specific problems like back pain, or for general personal improvement. Most people use too much effort to do the simplest of things. This excess tension can cause pain, discomfort and impairs the efficient functioning of your body. An Alexander Technique teacher has the training to help you discover what you are doing that is causing problems. Life-long skills You learn life-long skills to know how to release tension for yourself and prevent it from building up again. As pushes and pulls are removed your body re-aligns itself and gets back into balance. Aches and pains fade, and your posture becomes more upright and poised. Learning the Technique is like upgrading your operating system, or in other words – improving how you do what you do in all activities. How it works The Alexander Technique is based upon the discovery that good, natural functioning of your body depends upon the dynamic relationship between your head, neck and back. In an Alexander Technique lesson, when key areas are released and alignments and balance are adjusted, your spine is free to expand and move more freely. Your posture and balance system works better and you feel lighter and are able to move with less effort. Your back will strengthen naturally as you allow it to work without compression. Back pain study Significant long-term benefit from Alexander Technique lessons for low back pain has been demonstrated by a major study published by the British Medical Journal in August 2008. British Medical Journal study        The Alexander Technique helps you to: • Relieve back pain (clinically proven) • Improve your posture • Reduce stress • Move easier with less effort • Perform better and prevent injury • Reduce the problems caused by frequent computer use How you learn the Alexander Technique The teacher uses gentle, hands-on guidance together with verbal explanations to release unnecessary tension in your body, while exploring everyday activities like standing, sitting and walking. Depending on an individual's needs and goals, most people require a course of between 15 to 30 lessons to make long-lasting changes. The recent medical trial showed that even 6 lessons have a significant impact.       Posture lessons help back pain:     Opens in new browser window             Practitioners       Thomas Bull Qualifications: Member of The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (MSTAT) I had my first Alexander Technique lesson in 1996.  Like most teachers my experience of the Technique showed me how effective it is.  I was suffering from back pain and RSI and after obtaining relief from these symptoms I realised additional benefits of the Technique: reduced stress, better posture, increased confidence and easier breathing. I hope to develop my practice to provide Alexander Technique lessons in the Blackheath, Deptford, Greenwich, Lewisham and Canary Wharf areas. Currently I am running a series of workshops for NHS employees. Thomas’s web site The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique     Price list:   First 60 minute lesson Subsequent 45 minute lessons Advanced booking - 6 lessons Advanced booking - 10 lessons £45 £40 £38 £36 per lesson per lesson     home       The Greenwich Natural Health Centre Neptune House 70 Royal Hill Greenwich London SE10 8RF Tel: 020 8691 5408 Directors: Carol Williams & Pat Truman de Reimers. Content copyright © 2005-2010 The Greenwich Natural Health Centre.