About the
Alexander Technique:
The Alexander Technique is a
mind-body awareness technique which releases mental and
physical tension whilst improving balance, poise and
co-ordination. Discovered over 100 years ago by F M
Alexander (right), the technique is used worldwide in many
disciplines such as acting, dancing, sports and riding. It
delves deep into the realms of human biomechanics and
facilitates optimum use of the body. After many years of
research, Alexander discovered the secret of good posture.
By eliminating the bad habits developed subconsciously
through our life, which literally pull us down, we regain
the graceful, easy use of the body which we held naturally
during early childhood. Over the years, we tend to lose this
good self-carriage which we are born with. |
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| How can the Alexander
Technique improve your riding?
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By improving body awareness, poise and balance, the
Alexander Technique can help you to obtain the graceful
posture displayed by the great classical masters which
appears so effortless and yet eludes so many of us today.
The technique enables riders to work in harmony with their
horses, helping rather than hindering them to optimise
performance. The Alexander Technique adds ease of movement
and lightness to the human body which, in turn, lifts and
elevates the horse, helping the partnership to achieve the
great heights to which they aspire. |
Who was
F.M. Alexander?
Frederick Matthias Alexander
was born in Wynyard, Tasmania in 1869 and died in London in
1955. |
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Although a sickly child, Alexander grew up to be a
successful Shakespearian reciter and actor, who was also
known as, "the breathing man". At the height of his career
however, Alexander suffered increasing hoarseness and had
breathing difficulties during performance. Doctors were
unable to help him so Alexander, with patience and an
enquiring mind, realised that it must be something he was
doing while speaking that was causing the problem. By
observing himself in mirrors, he found he was habitually mis-using
his head, neck and back relationship. Alexander discovered
that this habitual misuse not only compressed his larynx and
interfered with his breathing, it also caused
mal-coordination throughout his organism. Despite this
observation, however, he had great difficulty in stopping
his habitual manner of use.
How does Joni Bentley
apply the Alexander Technique to riding?
click here
to find out more. |
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