Fix your posture, fix your life

They say the technique can make you taller.

They say it can make you more confident, calmer and relaxed. They say it can prevent future back problems.

Those who say these things believe a way of living and moving called the Alexander Technique can do all this. But is what they say true?

The Rio Grande Valley has no way of knowing. The technique, developed about 100 years ago and taught in larger U.S. cities, as well as abroad, is not taught anywhere in the region. The nearest certified Alexander Technique teacher lives in Austin.

And while there is much information about the Alexander Technique available online and in books, experts say you can't fully learn it without a lesson from a certified teacher.

"It's nearly impossible to teach yourself," said Eleanor Rosenthal, a San Francisco-based certified teacher for more than 30 years.

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique encourages people to use the body in the most efficient way.

It focuses on positioning the head, neck and back, teaching its practicioners to reexamine how they move, rest, and breathe, according to the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

The technique follows some basic principals.

Everything affects muscular tension. When we are nervous, scared or angry, we tense up without knowing. The technique aims to makes us aware of when that happens.

The technique also encourages people to pause before acting. By not immediately responding to impulses, one can develop more intelligent and clever reactions in everything from movement to speech.

The technique also teaches people to concentrate on the process of doing something rather than the end result. This forces one to think more. For example, while walking to your car you might take a second to notice something you've never paid much attention to before. Normally, you would be too preoccupied with getting where you're going. In a sense, the Alexander Technique emphasizes the journey rather than the destination.

What and where are Alexander Technique lessons?

The lessons are held by certified teachers who typically have at least two years of instruction under their belts.

Alexander teachers use their hands on students to demonstrate proper form of the technique, said Rosenthal, the teacher from San Francisco. After a number of lessons, students learn to mimic the movements without a teacher.

Eventually, they learn to use their heads to lengthen the spine rather than compress it, she said. Depending on the individual it may take anywhere between 10 and 200 lessons.

Laura Vincent is a physical trainer in California, and she has studied the technique regularly for the past 10 years. She said it has helped her achieve better health and she would recommend it to anyone willing to learn.

"If you're in the proper state of mind to want to help yourself, it benefits everyone," Vincent said. "I'm a real proponent of this technique. However, you have to be in the right place as a student. You don't just sit there and get worked on."

Certified teachers work in many major cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. About 10 certified teachers live in Texas, with the majority working in Austin.

For us in the Valley, that probably entails a road trip. Then again, the Alexander Technique is all about the journey.

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Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.