Mindful Self-Care in Everyday Living: Harnessing Alexander Technique for Optimum Body-Mind Balance

Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist. 

Click here to visit the hub for RADIATE: Wellbeing for Radiographers.

The Alexander Technique is a mind-body approach to wellbeing that can help us change the way the demands of life are experienced, both through our bodies and through our minds. During these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to focus on our wellbeing. Whatever we do, we do with our body and mind, and the sense of being overstretched can affect both.

Whether you are at home or at work, learn four easy, practical steps that will help you to remain level-headed, resourceful and calm for a more mindful self-caring attitude to the everyday. You will need the following to hand for this workshop:

• Exercise mat (or carpeted floor)
• 6cm of head rest/paperback books (plus a few more in case needed)
• A stable chair with flat seat

If you're comfortable, it is preferred that you have your camera on during this session.

Breathe – Expand – Ground – Lengthen

BREATHE IN WITH EASE AND BREATHE OUT TENSION

Breathing is one of our most essential biological activities and breath is central to everything we do. The ‘Breathe In With Ease And Breathe Out Tension’ is a quick and easy breathing practice to bring about relief when needed, a solution to rapidly calm the nervous system, focus the mind and help us to think more clearly.

EXPAND INTO YOURSELF AND INTO YOUR SPACE

When stressed and overworked we notice less of the world, and the body either slumps or tenses up under too much pressure. The ‘Expand Into Yourself And Into Your Space’ is a quick refocusing practice to bring us back to a well-balanced, free and energised way to move and be. Learn to allow awareness to expand out from your breath to your body and to your space.

GROUNDING THROUGH YOUR REAL CENTER OF GRAVITY

“It is ok to be grounded, this is something I must tell my soaring heart, every second of every day” – Vinyldarling, 2019

Being grounded means being in tune with our body, our mind and our environment. When we are grounded, we allow ourselves to feel more centred and balanced in spite of what's going on around us. Feeling grounded is very beneficial for our mind and body. Learn a simple grounding practice to support mental and physical performance.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE LENGTHENING

Lying on our back in semi-supine encourages the muscles of the torso to release so that deeply held tensions can start to be let go. This position is a most useful practice for restoring a toned, lengthened condition of the spine. Our spine is subject to pressure during the day as our bodyweight compresses us down, as a result our posture shortens. Practising this well-supported position allows us to effortlessly lengthen again.

If your plans change and you can no longer join this session, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] or cancelling via Zoom. If you fail to attend, you will not be permitted to book a place at any of our other events with limited capacity.

Please note, this is a seated, standing and floor movement workshop for all levels of Alexander Technique practice and options for varying levels will be given throughout the class, however the teacher cannot give individualised attention or control risks in your surrounding environment (obstacles, trip hazards, etc). No prior experience of Alexander Technique is needed, however if you have any questions beforehand regarding your current health or suitability to participate, please contact Antonella Cavallone at [email protected].