I am very interested in learning the Alexander Technique. Is anyone familiar with it?

Check out http://www.alexandercenter.com/

I took some lessons in it a few years back when I had tendonitus in my left arm. To be honest, it's a little complex and ideally should be learned when one is young.

The basic precept in the AT is that freedom of the neck is essential for stress-free movement (in playing or in daily life). Experiment with lessons if you want, but they can be a little expensive.

I took a 6-week group workshop this summer in Alexander and really enjoyed myself. I think a large portion of the fun was due to being part of a group. It was taught by 2 teachers from the Actors Studio and they mixed theatre games in with the Alexander. I also have a free lesson coming up (was a gift) and am looking forward to it as well as signing up for the group session again next summer.

What I got from it most was the clarification of misconceptions I had about my physical structure. It was interesting to learn about the way different joints and muscles in our necks, shoulders, upper and lower arms actually work.

It is well worth looking into and I think it holds valuable lessons for musicians.

The reason I brought this topic up is because I had hand problems last year that had to be cured by surgery and a doctor that I went to told me about the alexander technique. This summer, I may have the chance to take it for 6 weeks at a music camp. I think that it would be very beneficial to me. Do you think that I could get anything out of the books that are written about it?

Amy, No doubt you'll pick something up from the books but I think to really understand what it's about, you need hands on experience with a certified practitioner. Alexander technique is subtle.

Amy,

I just had a great thought. I purchased 2 copies of the book "What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body (The Practical Application of Body Mapping to Making Music)" by Barbara Conable this past summer because my teacher asked to me order one for her.

But when they arrived she didn't really want it. SO, let me send you the extra copy I have. I'd be glad to give it someone who might get some use of it. If you want it, let me know where to send it (can be a school, church, etc.) and I'll put it in the mail.

It's not a very big book and actually doesn't contain that much and it was over-priced. But if you do take some Alexander classes, your teacher might be able to highlight certain pages.

Let me know.

I just came across this Book review:

INDIRECT PROCEDURES: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique.
Pedro de Alcantara
Oxford [England] : Clarendon Press ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1997.
ISBN: 0198165692
This book is excellent in two ways: first, it does the best job I've yet seen at explaining the Alexander Technique, a body-awareness method used by many musicians. It cleared up a number of misconceptions I had about A.T., and anyone interested in the Technique should see it, musician or not. On top of the Alexander material, the author has many intriguing discussions of musical applications, rehearsal techniques, and mental attitudes that bear careful consideration even if one is not involved in Alexander training.