What is the Alexander Technique Used For?

What is the Alexander Technique used for and how might it help you? Alexander Technique is a way of helping people move through life with greater awareness and ease of movement so it can be helpful for many people and situations. You do not need to have a “problem” to find Alexander Technique useful – many people use it to help improve their posture, overcome stiffness or improve their balance and stability.

It is also good for people dealing with joint problems, pain or injury, those who are under stress or feeling physical discomfort or tension. It can help people who feel detached from their bodies because they live too much “in their heads” or who lead a very sedentary life. Some people come to Alexander Technique because they are entering a life stage where they feel they need to pay more attention to how they use their bodies. Many professionals also use Alexander technique to improve their performance – performers, athletes, managers or people in high pressure roles.

How does it work?

The genius of Alexander’s Technique lies in its focus on stopping harmful activity by reducing muscular tension rather than by making more effort to move differently.

A good example is when we are slumped in a chair and we try to sit up straight ‘for the good of our posture’ by making an effort and then, after a few minutes, find ourselves returning, exhausted, to an even greater slump.

This is because slumping in a chair is an unconscious habitual pattern of muscular activity that is established over time. It requires no thought but occurs automatically every time we sit in a chair. When we try to pull ourselves up at the same time we are using extra muscular effort in an attempt to cancel out the slump, thereby using twice as much energy.

Learning and applying the Alexander Technique teaches us how to avoid slumping by consciously stopping the slumping activity and allowing our natural postural mechanisms to get on with the job of “sitting us up straight” with much less effort.

For Pain or Discomfort

Through Alexander Technique you’ll learn to notice — and reduce — the effort you’re putting into everyday movements. It can help us to identify and prevent unconscious habits that interfere with our natural postural mechanisms. This often results in decreased pain, tension, increased mobility, and greater confidence in your own body.

Many people first discover the Alexander Technique because of ongoing physical issues. They may have tried stretches, exercises or treatment but still experience pain or discomfort.

Common reasons for using the Alexander Technique include:

Neck, back, or shoulder pain

Repetitive strain from desk work or driving

Joint tension, stiffness, or bad posture

Recovery after injury or surgery

Breathing difficulties

High blood pressure

“I used to brace myself every time I stood up — and I didn’t even realise it. Now I move without thinking about pain first.”

Former client, Lisburn

For Stress or Navigating Life Changes

The Alexander Technique has long been recognised as a powerful support for nervous system regulation — not by controlling breath or posture, but by learning to move more naturally and freely. Alexander Technique teaches us to create space to pause before reacting. Over time, clients often describe feeling more grounded, centred, and able to meet life without pushing through.

Alexander Technique can be particularly valuable when you’re in a period of transition, physically or emotionally.

You might be:

Navigating pregnancy, menopause or other life-stage changes

Recovering from burnout or emotional exhaustion

Feeling anxious, over-alert, or physically restless

Experiencing stress-related symptoms (e.g. shallow breathing, jaw tension, poor sleep)

Healing after illness or trauma

Starting to prioritise health after years of putting others first

Noticing your body doesn’t move quite as freely as it used to or you find you are picking up injuries as you age

“After practicing the Alexander Technique, my family and I noticed striking improvements in blood pressure, depth of sleep, mental alertness, overall cheerfulness, resilience against outside pressure and also in playing a stringed instrument.”

Professor Nikolaas Tinbergen, Nobel Prize-winner Physiology/Medicine

For Voice, Breathing and Performance

How does the Alexander Technique help actors, musicians, teachers and speakers? The Technique is taught in leading drama and music schools worldwide. It helps with stage presence, breath control, vocal freedom, and the ability to stay composed under pressure.

But it’s equally valuable for anyone who relies on their voice or presence in their work.

As a certified teacher of Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing, Colin also works with those exploring how voice, breath and presence connect in both creative and therapeutic contexts. You might benefit if you:

Struggle with breath-holding or voice fatigue

Speak, perform or lead in high-pressure settings

Want to feel more confident “in your skin” when presenting or performing

“I find the Alexander Technique very helpful in my work. Things happen without you trying. They get to be light and relaxed. You must get an Alexander teacher to show it to you.”

John Cleese, Comedian and Actor

Is Alexander Technique for You?

You don’t need to be a performer or a Nobel Prize winner to benefit from Alexander Technique. It is used by people around the globe who want to feel a stronger mind-body connection or just easier in their bodies. This could be because they’re living with pain, managing stress, dealing with a life event, performing at a high level, or simply beginning to notice that something needs to change. You don’t need to be fit or flexible. You just need to be open to exploring how you move — and how that movement impacts on the quality of your day-to-day life.

Colin Beattie is a fully qualified teacher registered with the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT). He teaches Alexander Technique in Northern Ireland from a quiet, dedicated space in Drumbeg, just outside Belfast.

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FAQs

Is the Alexander Technique suitable if I’m in pain or recovering from an injury?

Yes. It’s beneficial when pain limits your movement or creates habitual tension.

How many lessons do I need?

That is entirely up to you. Some people are happy with what they have achieved after just a few sessions. Others use Alexander Technique as an ongoing practice and integrate it into their lives alongside other things they do for self-care or wellbeing.

Is it like yoga or pilates?

Not to the extent it’s about physical activity, focusing on poses or actively working on flexibility. The focus in Alexander Technique is on how you move in everyday life. However, many people that enjoy the gentle physical nature of yoga also appreciate Alexander Technique.

Contact Colin

Book a trial session to explore the Alexander Technique with Colin Beattie. Calm, personalised guidance in a comfortable and supportive setting.

What is the Alexander Technique Used For?

How does it work?

For Pain or Discomfort

For Stress or Navigating Life Changes

For Voice, Breathing and Performance

Is Alexander Technique for You?

FAQs

Contact Colin

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