THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 27, 1995 TAG: 9501250125
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 01B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARLENE FORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 125 lines
After injuries from an automobile accident virtually incapacitated a young woman with neck and back spasms, she says she found relief through a little-known method of exercise and body therapy called the Alexander technique.
An oboist in the Virginia Symphony sought out the local teacher of this technique to make the fingers of her right hand move faster.
A 78-year-old retired Peninsula schoolteacher schedules regular lessons hoping to ease her discomfort in the time between two hip replacement surgeries, and an area radiologist has been a student of the technique for a year - because he's a lousy tennis player.
Students of the Alexander technique are a diverse crowd. They hunch over computers, hoist babies onto their hips or dance en pointe. What they have in common is they want those self-induced pains, daily tensions and achy muscles to go away.
The technique is similar in some ways to massage therapy, chiropractic care and exercise regimens. It emphasizes the study of body movements and the elimination of inefficient motions.
While not construed as a medical therapy, the 100-year-old technique begun by the Australian F. Matthias Alexander has nonetheless proved therapeutic for countless people.
``Neck free, head forward and relaxed.'' The mantra-like phrase is chanted by the teacher and student as are similar instructions for body parts from the top of the head to the toes.
Alexander teachers start lessons by observing the student's posture, movements and muscular tensions during various activities. Through gentle, non-invasive touch and words, while the student is lying or standing, they are made aware of habits that can interfere with natural poise and smooth performance.
For the past two years many local students of the Alexander technique have found their way to the Virginia Beach studio of certified teacher Joseph Lee.
``Joseph Lee wasn't my first Alexander teacher,'' said Janice Cunningham, a massage therapist who now lives in Virginia Beach. ``I began to study in England, where it is quite popular.''
Cunningham was in a car accident seven years ago that resulted in four prolapsed discs followed by years of physiotherapy and a steady diet of anti-inflammatory medications.
``After the injury I adapted my posture to help ease the pain - I thought. But what I did to myself actually was worse than the injuries. I wasn't able to drive, to work or to barely live.
``When I was eventually recommended to an Alexander teacher, she was able to teach my body and me how to move in a more free manner, how to relax and even how to eliminate the neck and back spasms when I felt them coming.''
Cunningham is now relieved of her pain, drives a car and works. She continues studies with Lee to keep in shape, and also to learn new techniques.
It's never too late to learn body awareness, Lee said.
Katherine Granville, a 78-year-old retired schoolteacher, had hip replacement surgery two years ago.
``There is definitely an adjustment of the body to that new appliance,'' Granville said. ``Then I began to have pain in the other hip, then I broke my arm trying to protect myself from a fall. I said, wait a minute something's not right here.''
A friend suggested she visit Lee.
``I've just begun going to Joseph, but what I see is the connection of human thought to the body and I'm very willing to work with that in order to bring about a change in my muscular coordination.''
Lee explains, ``I don't treat a medical illness, but what I can do is to help improve the coordination of a person who has arthritis. I can help a person with asthma brought on by stress to control that stress.''
The Alexander technique is not denounced by the medical profession, but it is generally ignored or unknown. Only a handful of physicians, mostly orthopedic surgeons or chiropractors, refer patients to Alexander teachers.
It is gradually gaining acceptance. Slightly more than 400 therapists in North America have completed extensive studies to become certified Alexander teachers.
In the past, the technique has been appreciated mostly by dancers, musicians and actors, who use it to counter occupational tightness and to produce more fluid performances. The plan of study is now part of required course work in a number of schools for performing artists including the Julliard School in New York, the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
Virginia Symphony principal oboist Sherry Lake Aguirre is typical of the growing number of artists in this country who study the technique.
``I never stop wondering about the next part of my playing to work on. Should I work on making reeds, on sound production or on technique. They're all connected,'' Lake Aguirre said.
``I also felt like my (performing) technique was slowing down. It could be old problems or body tension. But what I've learned with Joseph is that the deeper sense of body I have before I play lets me forget the itsy, bitsy details like lip or fingers - the things excellent oboe teachers teach - and allows me to let things happen much more naturally.''
Lee himself was a performing artist. He graduated from Catholic University in drama, but after studying the technique to improve his own stage effectiveness he realized he would rather teach than act. His certification is from the North American Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique in Urbana, Ill.
As is the case with Granville and Cunningham, not all who come to Lee are artists. Some aren't even in in pain. Dr. Harry Presberg, a Norfolk radiologist, began lessons a year ago, because he was a terrible tennis player.
``I'd get all nervous when I'd compete,'' Presberg said. ``I've had a year of lessons with Joseph Lee and my posture is better, I sleep better, the exercises reduce my fatigue greatly.''
Presberg said, ``I think it's quite wonderful.'' Then added with a laugh, ``The only thing that isn't better is my tennis game.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by MARLENE FORD
Joseph Lee, a certified teacher of Alexander technique, teaches the
method to student Billy Thomas. The 100-year-old technique was begun
by the Australian F. Matthias Alexander.
MORE INFORMATION
In addition to teaching classes, Joseph Lee also gives workshops
locally and regionally. He is the co-author of a new book with Dr.
Don Sinclaire titled ``You Can Fix Your Own Back.''
For more information about the Alexander technique, call
425-1538.
by CNB