Mike McGurgan

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The Alexander Man is Mike McGurgan MSTAT, AUSTAT

Although having a miltary career spanning 22 years, Mike has not been hardened by his experience, but rather become more compassionate. Sympathetic, caring and non-judgemental, Mike has been teaching since he became a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, on completion of his 3 years training in 1996.

The Alexander Technique is:

1. Psycho-physical Neuromuscular Re-education


2. Detecting, exposing & eliminating unnecessary tension in any & all activities that we may be engaged in at the time


3. Replacing habit with a conscious choice

It was developed by F.M. Alexander (1869-1955), who in the mid 1890s wanted to be a Shakespearean orator in Melbourne but found his voice dried up during performances on stage.

Not to be daunted and as the then medical profession could not effect a cure, he set himself to discover whether it was something that he was doing to himself that was causing the problem. Observing himself, in the first then eventually 3 mirrors, he rapidly deduced what it was.

So he decided that he would stop doing it and began to change his habits of a lifetime. It took ten years of dedicated work until, using inhibition and direction, he achieved the good use of himself that he was looking for, not only during recitations, but in every activity.

Advised to travel to Europe where his Technique would get wider recognition. he sailed to London in 1904 and set-up practice around the corner from Harley Street and nerver looked back.
After his death, a Society was formed to carry on and promote his work, which flourishes and has links with many affiliated Societies world-wide.

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Who can benefit?

The Alexander Technique can benefit everyone to some degree, but especially those suffering the effects of stress and stress related illness.

• Lower back pain
• Poor posture
• Tension
• Depression
• Arthritus
• PMT
• MS
• Recurring pain
• Pregnancy and post-childbirth
• RSI
• High blood pressure
• Old age
• Rheumatism
• Sciatica
• ME
• Tension Headaches
• Joint replacements, especially the hip where special care is needed, as normal movement is now restricted.

Anyone requiring performance, including:

• Athletes - for improved speed and/or stamina and relief from injury.


• Actors - to protect their voice and/or give a more credible preformance


• Musicians - to relieve RSI and enhance playing


• Eventers - who would benefit from a clearer line of communication with the horse

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What happens in a lesson?

Your teacher will use explanation and guiding touch to enable you to experience familiar movements, for example, sitting and standing, bending and walking, but with a more appropriate degree of tesnsion.
You will be taught the 'Semi Supine' position of mechanical advantage for the spine, which hopefully will become a daily pratice, to connect with and take responsibility fot your postural muscles thereby improving the tone and stamina and raising your awareness of how you are using yourself in any activity.
This new awareness enables you to change long-standing habits and to function more efficiently and with greater ease.
Through experience and observation, you learn how to become more co-ordinated and in time, will be able to use your new understanding in increasingly more complex, demanding activities and situtations in your daily life.

With regular lessons from a qualified teacher, we can eventually reach a position where we are able, with our heightened awareness, to notice that we are about to tense and to choose not to do. This awareness frees us old habits and allows for improved posture, poise and balance, restoring health and creating harmony in our lives and also improving our stamina.
You can bring a freshness and spontaneity to everything you do.

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Learning the Technique

This means making a commitment both in time and financially.
A course of lessons is not cheap and should be looked on as an investment in your most treasured possession - yourself.
The following health funds will reimburse you for the cost of some, but not all, lessons you may have had in any particular year:

• BUPA - MBF, NRMA, SCIO, HBA, Mutual Community/li>
• Australian Unity
• Health Partners
• Medibank
• Teachers Federation Health

If your fund is not listed, a polite enquiry as to why just might elicit a favourable response. It's worth a try!


For further information:

The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT)

The Australian Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (AUSTAT)