Alexander Technique

The famous Athenian comic playwright Menander (342-291 B. C. ) once said wellness and intellect ar the two blessings of life. This was the standpoint of his almost realistic depiction of a situational character as a stand-up comedian wherein theme and body were overjoyed upon Menanders satires. Probably the best chance of Menanders hilarity was his insightful cordial and physiological gestures that captivated the spontaneity which he conveyed to the audience.The conveyance of mental and physical gestures have indeed become the therapeutic norm of the Australian actor and Shakespeargonan speechifier Frederick Matthias horse parsley (1869-1955) who then discovered a technique of effective vocalism through mental and physical easement and control known as the horse parsley technique. In this regard, this paper will cover several studies on the black lovage Technique which has been known and adopted by most stage and photograph factors and has been publicly recommended to be used as therapy. What is horse parsley Technique?According to the electronic journal, The Complete attract to Alexander Technique, the Alexander Technique (AT) was developed in the early 1900s by Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) to release his chronic laryngitis tension for best vocal performance which he later developed as a complete mental and physical therapy. Based on the personal experience of renowned health columnist of the New York Times Jane Brody, the Alexander technique is a method of adjusting body postures to relieve her prejudicious stresses, like relieving her neck tension, occasional pain, and even crippling spasms (Brody, 1990).Moreover, according to Anne Rickovers spirit Bridge Coaching, the Alexander Technique mess be helpful to everyone, especially those who are engaged in the delicate harmonization of the mind and body like actors, dancers and musicians, as well as to injured musicians. Today, the mastery of this technique is required in sundry(a ) arts and music schools across Europe, America and Australasia. (Rickover, R. , 2007). Rationale of method According to Nicholas Brockbank, a teacher of the Alexander Technique, the functions of mind (mental) and body (physical) are the primary coordinates in using the Alexander Technique.Thus, the coordinative functions are the basic method of application or usage. The husking of functional coordinates as a method was regarded by Frederick Matthias Alexander when he felt his voice or vocalization was vacillating (Brockbank, 2007). In front of a mirror, Alexander discovered the inconsistency of his voice to his mind setting. Moreover, the mind and the body were indivisible human faculties from which the way people appreciate the way they acted was the primary cause of their physical ills (Brockbank, 2007).Brockbank concluded that the method of organise mind and body are elements of physical habits that Alexander Technique adopts the method of functional coordinates (Brockbank, 2007). Application of method Upon Frederick Matthias Alexanders discovery and adoption of the method, he was inspired and encouraged to share it with performing artist, most especially with the musicians and the vocalists, which he archetype were stressed during the rehearsals with the added anxiety (stage fright) in front of the audience.To cite, the mental and physical movement must be utilize with proper coordination and function as the presence of mind and body that eventually meets and sets aside the complex of stress that may firmness to Repetitive Strain Injury (which becomes a checkup term known as RSI), which is a harsh injury of singers, musician, and dancers (Brockbank, 2007).The Alexander Technique has developed as an effective and applicable method in coordinating the mental and physical functions and are used by most of the performing artists like Paul McCartney, Yehudi Menuhin, Sting, Julian Bream, James Galway, and the conductor, Sir Adrian Boul (Brockbank, 200 7). It has as well been integrated into the curriculums of various schools such as the Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York, The Royal College of Music in London, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and other schools of music, universities and colleges nearly the world (Brockbank, 2007).Findings, descriptive procedures, and relevance The descriptive procedures in applying the method of Alexander Technique are imbed to be similar to the method of biotechnology. Several intrinsicists or those using the natural cure and therapy believe that what Frederick Matthias Alexander discovered was a self-taught procedure which he incidentally applied and thought as his own method. In which case, the naturalists acknowledges Alexanders discovery as an applied natural science.Meaning, Alexander theorized and setd the application of Ergonomics method in which several methods of natural cure were only limited to countries like Asia, Africa, the Middle easternmost and other parts of European countries. Moreover, according to Mark Hymans journal, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the natural cure through therapy has long been practiced by the Egyptians, Africans, Chinese, and the Malays. Among of the indigenous and famous natural cures are Acupuncture, acupressure or the Thai massage, aromatherapy, Reiki, and what is commonly known today as methods of Reflexology or Physical therapy (Hyman, 2008).According to Holly A. Sweeney, a aware Ergonomist, the only method that is being recognized in Alexander Technique is that the functional use of mind and body coordinates without external physical manipulation. In addition, the power of thinking (mind) has some degrees or level of program line to what the physical (body) self shall do or to do (Sweeney, 2007). Based on Sweeneys findings, the term bioengineering is derived from the two Greek words ERG (meaning to work) and NOMOI (meaning natural laws).The study of Ergonomics focuses on human cap ability towards work, in which the connection or link to work shall meet the demand or performance of human capability that has the following fundamentals (1) All work activities should allow the worker take on equally honorable and safe postures, (2) Muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available, and (3) practice activities should be carried out with the joints at about mid-point of their range of movement which applies specifically to the head, trunk, and upper limbs. (Cortlett, 1983 in Sweeney, 2007).It may be deduced from the findings of Sweeney that Ergonomics is very much interrelated technique to Alexanders, considering the fact that Ergonomics also covers all stress-out methods, which is also known as stretching at the sudden spasm of body joints and muscles sequence at work. However, the recognition of Alexander Technique although parallel to Ergonomics has been carried out by the unique method of usage out the str ess from the vocal chords of the singer and larynx of musicians using pipe instruments through coordination of psycho-physical functions (Sweeney, 2007).In addition, the functional psycho-physical coordination invokes the prowess of the performer with a sudden gush of esteem and self-confidence that conveys the good physical posture and perfect vocalization (Sweeney, 2007). Conclusion Natural cure is indigenous and partly an evolutionary medicine that complements the continuous development of medical sciences. Indeed, what has been quoted by Menander (342-291 B. C.), that health and intellect are the two blessings of life, has been proven by the theory and practice of Frederick Matthias Alexander. The Alexander Technique is a natural therapy that must impart furtherance of developmental studies as a restorative healing method that adheres to incumbrance medicine. The medicinal value indicates the benefits, usefulness, and cost efficiency. However, the practice of the Alexander Tech nique may only be limited and relevant to occupational work of renowned expertise.The practice of Alexander Technique could be more beneficial, appropriate, and therapeutic when valued at the large-scale advocacy of treatment. Over the years, the incident development of medical science has brought in trial and error of scientific exploits. The medical malpractice in symptomatic and hospitalized treatment still occurs around the world, although the incidents are few and not alarming. The paranoia may not only be a post-surgical trauma but a social stigma. Practically, no one wants to be hospitalized.This mainly collectable to the large costs of hospitalization, scarcity to healthcare benefits or medical welfare (specifically in poor countries), the billow prices of medicines, and the anxiety to medical treatment or medical phobia. It can be then deduced that various forms of natural healing, like Alexander Technique, could be rationalized into a broader social perspective as a prev entive alternative medicine rather than always resorting to hospital cure. References Brody, J. (1990). Personal Health. New York Times electronic magazine.Retrieved 10 May 2008 from http//query. nytimes. com/gst/fullpage. html? res=9C0CE0DB1031F932A15755C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. Brockbank, N. (2007). What did Alexander Discover And why is it Important? . Retrieved 10 May 2008 from http//www. alexandertechnique. com/articles2/brockbank/. Hyman, M. A. (2008). Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. InnoVision Issue Vol. 14, No. 3. Retrieved 10 May 2008 from http//www. alternative-therapies-digital. com/alternative-therapies/20070506/?sub_id=DLuKONBMDWMwD. Rickover, R. (2007). Life Bridge Coaching. Retrieved 10 May 2008 from http//www. lifebridgecoach. com/lbcmain. htm. Sweeney, H. A. (2007). Applying Ergonomic principles in the Workplace How the Alexander Technique can help. Retrieved 10 May 2008 from http//www. alexandertechnique. com/ergonomics. htm. The Compl ete Guide to Alexander Technique (2008). Electronic Journal of the wreak of Alexander Technique in Nebraska and Toronto. Retrieved 10 May 2008 from http//www. alexandertechnique. com/.