Alexander Technique in Jakarta?

[Salam]

Hi,

My 1st post on this forum, it seems like a really great resource.

My wife and I are moving to Jakarta in June. She currently goes to Alexander Technique lessons. Is this a service that is available in Jakarta? I couldn't find anything in google or on the forum.

Thanks. M

[bigvolt]

Hi,

My 1st post on this forum, it seems like a really great resource.

My wife and I are moving to Jakarta in June. She currently goes to Alexander Technique lessons. Is this a service that is available in Jakarta? I couldn't find anything in google or on the forum.

Thanks. M

Please explain the " Alexander technique " or Discipline , Thanks

[Pimpin]

Alexander Technique


By Joan Arnold



The Alexander Technique is an intelligent way to solve body problems. Many people are mystified by their own back pain, excess tension or lack of coordination. They often see problems in their joints or muscles as structural, unchangeable. As an Alexander teacher, I hear clients say things like, "I've always walked like a duck," or "My posture is just like my father's." But, as they learn the Technique, they are surprised that they really can make lasting changes in the way they walk, their degree of muscular tension or the shape of their posture. They learn how dynamic and changeable the body really is. They find that, by learning the Technique, they can improve their overall movement and achieve optimal health for both body and mind.
We all have unconscious movement habits. Without realizing it, we put undue pressure on ourselves. We use more force than we need to lift a coffee pot or a weight bar. We slouch as we sit, unaware that our way of doing things gives our bodies a certain look. We blame body problems on activities -- carpal tunnel syndrome on computer work, tennis elbow on tennis. But often it is how we do something that creates the problem, not the activity itself.
An Alexander Technique teacher helps you see what in your movement style contributes to your recurring difficulties -- whether it's a bad back, neck and shoulder pain, restricted breathing, perpetual exhaustion or limitations in performing a task or sport. Analyzing your whole movement pattern -- not just your symptom -- the teacher alerts you to habits of compression in your characteristic way of sitting, standing and walking. He or she then guides you -- with words and a gentle, encouraging touch -- to move in a freer, more integrated way.
The Technique's basic idea is that when the neck muscles do not overwork, the head balances lightly at the top of spine. The relationship between the head and the spine is of utmost importance. How we manage that relationship has ramifications throughout the rest of the body. As the boss -- good or bad -- sets the tone for an organization, the head / spine relationship -- compressed or free -- determines the quality of the body's overall coordination. Our neuromuscular system is designed to work in concert with gravity. Delicate poise of the head sparks the body's anti-gravity response: a natural oppositional force in the torso that easily guides us upward and invites the spine to lengthen, rather than compress, as we move. Instead of slouching or holding ourselves in a rigid posture, we can learn to mobilize this support system and use it wherever we go -- in the car, at the computer, in the gym.
Young children have this natural poise. If you watch a toddler in action, you will see an erect spine, free joints and a large head balancing easily on a little neck. A healthy child walks and plays with regal posture. Barring birth defects, we all began that way. But over the years, we often lose that spontaneity and ease.


Using the Alexander Technique, you can learn to strip away harmful habits, heighten your self-awareness, and use your thought process to restore your original poise. In a way, you are learning something that, deep down, your body already knows. With the Alexander Technique, you come to understand much more about how your body works, and how to make it work for you. You can tap more of your internal resources, and begin on a path to enhancing your comfort and pleasure in all your activities.
Joan Arnold, certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, has a private practice in New York City. She has performed and taught dance, yoga and exercise for 25 years and has presented the Alexander Technique at fitness clubs, spas, colleges, drama schools and on television. Her work was featured in the November '97 issue of Esquire. Also a writer for national magazines since 1987, she has written for Self, Health, Fitness and Shape magazines and has been a contributing editor and columnist for New York Woman and New Woman.

[eksotia]

the benefits sounds similar to yoga. I cured my back pain with hatha yoga and I'm sure yoga instructors/classes are easier to find in Indonesia.

[bigvolt]

re: Alexander technique, Thanks Pimp, sound very interesting, and of great value.

[pascal9993]

hello,


i'm interested too into a practitioner in Alexander technique, please keep me posted, thanks.

Pascal Jalabert
psychotherapist-counsellor
naturopath- spa consultant

mobile indonesia: 087-877-234-213
skype contact: pascal9993
web-site: http://pascaljalabert999.blogspot.com (http://pascaljalabert999.blogspot.com/)


"my body is a garden,my mind is its gardener"

W.Shakespeare.

[waarmstrong]

re: Alexander technique, Thanks Pimp, sound very interesting, and of great value.

Of great value, maybe. If its a commercially offered health regime, my question would be by whom and is the program a great value?

p.s. If the program intrigues a certain sans-credentials psychotherapist, it certainly tweaks my interests.

[bigvolt]

Of great value, maybe. If its a commercially offered health regime, my question would be by whom and is the program a great value?

p.s. If the program intrigues a certain sans-credentials psychotherapist, it certainly tweaks my interests.

Warrms, I was just thinking that any personal discipline that helps people be more in touch with their own responsibility for health care and well being is of great value. I haven't researched the cost of, or anything else concerning the ( Alexander technique or Joan Arnold )Except the write up on pimps post.

[waarmstrong]

Same here Bigvolt. Thus my question, as I am by naturely suspicious of branded health regimes. They are often little more than repackaging for profit of common techniques. Just wondering about the who and how much of the Alexander program. Is it more productive that becoming a regular at the Tia Chi sessions in your neighborhood commons? Don't know, but it would be hard to beat the cost of the latter.

[bigvolt]

Same here Bigvolt. Thus my question, as I am by nature suspicious of branded health regimes. They are often little more than repackaging for profit of common techniques. Just wondering about the who and how much of the Alexander program. Is it more productive that becoming a regular at the Tia Chi sessions in your neighborhood commons? Don't know, but it would be hard to beat the cost of the latter.
After thought, There are a lot of ladies in the Washington DC area spending a ton of money on these type of self-help programs, Do you suppose this is because there husbands are in Government ? HaHaHa

[waarmstrong]

I suppose they are trying to keep in shape so hubby is not tempted to do a Hart, Edwards, or Spitzer.

[bigvolt]

I suppose they are trying to keep in shape so hubby is not tempted to do a Hart, Edwards, or Spitzer.

That was exactly my thought

[Salam]

That was exactly my thought

Well you would be wrong and its better to meet someone before you make assumptions about who they are. My wife is a very successful independant person (much more so than me). The Alexander technique is basic body mechanics. You practise standing, sitting, lifting etc in order to break bad habits and strengthen your back. It is popular with ex builders.

[waarmstrong]

Sorry, did not mean to be personally offensive. What's an "ex builder?"

[Salam]

That's okay - its pretty easy to misinterpret emails etc. When I say "ex builder" I mean somone who used to work in the construction industry. Heavy manual labour tends to ruin their backs. My wife heard about it through a builder who had stuffed his back and had found the technique helpful.

[bigvolt]

Well you would be wrong and its better to meet someone before you make assumptions about who they are. My wife is a very successful independant person (much more so than me). The Alexander technique is basic body mechanics. You practise standing, sitting, lifting etc in order to break bad habits and strengthen your back. It is popular with ex builders.

Salem, My post #10 was somewhat in jest/ truth, I thought I was referring to politicians and there wives, and how hard the wives work at staying in shape to keep their reprobate husbands out of situations of ill-repute , I was not referring to hard working men and there wives ! I have worked Hi line, Hi steel, and every back breaking job the utility industry has to offer and at 59 years old am still working it (Hard).( www.bv.com) I haven't heard of many politicians I would even wanna Know much less meet personally, so as far as getting to know them, I think not. ( god bless your wife and her success and hope the selfhelp regiment help your condition ) BV

[Salam]

No problem, I think it was just a miscommunication - I think I saw a joke directed at my better half where there wasn't one intended. I also worked in the construction industry (civils, demo and rail). Although I am a pencil pusher I have the greatest respect for the people that risk their health, and not exaggerating, their lives to keep things running. I would never have guessed how highly skilled it was (and dangerous) to divert utilities, demolish a building or build a railway before I got involved.

Thanks for your comments.