Working with a teacher, involves simple activities such as standing, sitting and walking. Bringing into conscious awareness what we are doing to ourselves as we carry out these activities—especially what we’re doing unnecessarily, as this is what often causes us problems at some point. The teacher’s hands help to guide the pupil towards the discovery of a better use of themselves so that they have a new experience. We are replacing old unconscious habits with new conscious ways of using ourselves so that our responses become light, effortless, spacious and dynamic.
Some work may also be done in semi-supine (lying on a table with the knees bent). It’s a good idea to wear comfortable, reasonably loose clothing so that it is easy to bend the knees.
We refer to Alexander Technique sessions as lessons rather than treatments because it is a re-education and not a therapy. So you come to learn, as a pupil. It’s a process of discovery. Discovering what your unhelpful habits are and learning how to change them. Discovering what it means to use conscious thought in action.