Learn to change habits that interfere with your
optimum functioning and free movement.
SERVICES
Greg Ford has been teaching the Alexander Technique since 1986. He teaches individual lessons and groups at his studio in Enmore or other venues by arrangement.
The Alexander Technique is a unique simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, flexibility and coordination. It can be applied to any and all activities and does not require any special space or equipment. Although the Alexander Technique is primarily an educational tool, in most cases people experience strong therapeutic benefit. Practising the technique will significantly reduce or eliminate muscular aches and pains, improve breathing and bring about a much more relaxed state of being.
Who takes Alexander Lessons?
People study the Alexander technique for many reasons. Often people who are dealing with pain from bad backs, stiff necks, repetitive strain and overuse injuries, breathing difficulties. These problems will almost always improve when movement is more easy, balanced and coordinated and often symptoms disappear completely.
Performers, whether musicians, actors or sportspeople can find their performance greatly enhanced when they reeducate movement using the Alexander Technique.
People interested in optimising their health in all aspects. (Teachers, lawyers, office workers, gardeners, dancers, actors, tennis players etc!!!)
How can the Alexander Technique help my posture?
One statement Alexander teachers hear very often is: "I want to do something about my posture."
The Alexander Technique provides a unique way of changing the harmful habits of movement and reaction that result in poor "posture." One of the main ideas of Alexander's is that "use affects functioning." If one learns to improve the way they "use" themselves they will then "function" better. For instance, if one learns to sit well - in balance, with the neck free and the head poised on top of a lengthened spine the breathing will be easier, the arms and hands will be more relaxed and better coordinated in movement.
Many of our most harmful postural habits (for instance, slumping in chairs or standing with knees braced) have become unconscious so that even though we experience pain and discomfort, our way of doings things "feels" normal. It is often the case that people feel powerless to change their habits.
What happens in a lesson?
First we will discuss your reasons for coming to the Alexander Technique (pain, stiffness, curiosity, preventative health, performance issues etc).
Lessons usually have two parts. One part is where the student is in activity. This can be as simple as standing, walking or sitting or other activities of the student,s choice. At all times the emphasis is on become more aware of what is happening with the whole body but particularly the relationship of the head neck and torso and how to maintain the utmost freedom and balance. The teacher uses gentle guidance with the hands, verbal instruction and skilled observation to assist this process.
The second part is where the student lies on a table (fully clothed) usually in semi supine and the teacher works with the student, directing awareness to various parts of the body. Again the teachers works gently with the hands to encourage releasing and lengthening of muscles that often have been held and tight for years. This process is invaluable for the health of the spine and restoring energy to the whole body.
Lessons usually last 45-50 minutes but longer and shorter sessions can be negotiated.
Greg Ford
Greg was drawn to the Alexander Technique initially because of crippling back pain and chronic tension from playing the viola. He qualified as an Alexander Technique teacher in Sydney in 1986. (Alexander Teachers undertake a minimum three year, 1600 hours training). Since that time he has been teaching the technique privately, to groups and on Alexander Technique teacher training courses in Sydney and Melbourne. He has regularly undertaken further post graduate training in Australia, Canada and the USA. Greg is also a very experienced violin and viola teacher.
As well as teaching the Alexander Technique, Greg is a professional musician and has played with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra where he presently plays. He has been a very active chamber music performer over the years playing with the Gagliano Quartet, the Sydney Ensemble, the Seymour Group amongst many other groups.
Greg is a member of the Australian Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (AUSTAT). He is also a member of the Alexander Technique teaching team for the Sound Practice research project being conducted through Sydney University (looking into the health of professional orchestral musicians in Australia and developing and assessing interventions to prevent injury and maintain and improve condition).
QUALIFICATION DETAILS
ASCM, DSCM (SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC)
MEMBER OF AUSTAT (Australlan Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.)
Alexander Technique
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