How can the Alexander Technique help performers and athletes?

The Alexander Technique and musicians

In this conversation, Robert and Eileen talk about some of the ways musicians can use the Alexander Technique to alleviate pain and improve their performance. A great deal of additional information on this topic can be found at the Musicians and Alexander Technique. The short video produced by the British Medical Journal in connection with the major back pain study sponsored by the National Health Service features a violinist at the beginning of the video. A longer video about the late Marjorie Barstow also includes several scenes of her helping musicians with their playing and singing. The interview also includes a reference to Vivien Mackie, an Alexander Technique teacher and cellest, and co-athor of Just Play Naturally, about her experience studying with Pablo Cassals. You can learn more about this book, and several others about the Technique and musicians at here (US and Canada) and here (UK). Click here to listen to or download this conversation.

The Alexander Technique and athletes - professional and amateur

In this conversation, Robert and Eileen talk about the usefuness of the Technique for athletes and mention is made of Steven Shaw's Art of Swimming project and his book, The Art of Swimming, Malcolm Balk's book The Art of Running, and How you Stand, How you Move, How you Live - Learning the Alexander Technique by Missy Vineyard. You can order theset and other books about the Alexander Technique here (US and Canada) and here (UK). Click here to listen to or download this conversation.

Here Robert and Eileen talk about David Beckam, the famous soccer star, and Tiger Woods and how they might benefit from the Alexander Technique. Here is a YouTube video of Tigher Woods where you can see what Eileen is talking about. There is also mention of the Bristish Medical Journal backpain study. The discussion veers off into a discussion of the usefulness of celebrety endorsements for the Alexander Technique. Click here to listen to or download this conversation.

Robert and Eileen discuss ways the Technique can help with golf. They also discuss their experiences working with golfers. Click here to read an article about the golf/Alexander Technique connection. Robert and Eilen end their conversation with a quote from Max Stein (Gertrude's husband) - The Alexander Technique is learning to keep you eye on the ball, applied to life. Click here to listen to or download this conversation.

Here Robert and Eileen discuss the Technique and swimming. Robert talks about the special benefits of swimming as a framework within which to explore Alexander's discoveries. There is a reference to Steven Shaw's Art of Swimming project and his book as well as to the late Marjorie Barstow. Click here to listen to or download this conversation.

In this conversation, Robert and Eileen discuss the benefits of running and walking barefoot. Eileen mentions Barefoot Running Shoes. Mention is made of the Oregon Research Study on Chinese stone walking. You can order these mats from Amazon. Click here to listen to or download this conversation.

back to discussion topics