exercises for the purpose of improving and strengthening the flow of qi. One form
involves reversed breathing, which is contracting the stomach with the in-breath
and expanding the stomach with the out-breath. The benefits of T’ai Chi are seen in
conditions such as hypertension, osteoporosis, and arthritis. T’ai Chi can decrease
stress and fatigue, improve mood, and increase energy. It is especially helpful in
improving balance in older adults, which decreases the risk of falls.
The Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is a method to improve posture and movement dysfunc-
tions that can lead to pain and disease. It is designed to reduce and eliminate body
misuse in daily activities especially in respect to the head, neck, and shoulders.
The Alexander Technique was developed more than a century ago by F. M.
Alexander, an Australian actor who had lost his voice while performing. He care-
fully watched himself while speaking and observed that undue muscular tension
accounted for his vocal problem. He sought a way to eliminate that restriction, and
the technique he developed focused on correcting the misuse of the neuromuscular
activity of the head, neck, and spine. The Alexander Technique is taught in the cur-
riculum of music conservatories, theater schools, and universities throughout the
world, as a foundation for improved health and creative exploration. It is also a use-
ful tool to help people, able-bodied and disabled, maximize their movement poten-
tial.
The North American Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (NASTAT) is the
certifying body for practitioners. A NASTAT-certified teacher must complete a 1,600-
hour training program over a minimum of three years. The emphasis of the training
is on observation and modification of human movement patterns to identify and
eliminate sources of movement dysfunction.
The Alexander Technique includes simple movements that improve balance, pos-
ture, and coordination and relieve pain. During a session, the client goes through a
series of standing and seated exercises while the practitioner applies light pressure to
points of contraction in the body. The techniques help people learn how to use their
bodies with less tension and more awareness. The recommended course is 30 lessons,
depending on the client’s participation and initial level of functioning.
The Feldenkrais Method
The Feldenkrais Method uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve
movement and enhance functioning. The physics of body movement are combined
with an awareness of the way people learn to move, behave, and interact.
CHAPTER 20 MOVEMENT-ORIENTED THERAPIES 251
