Ridiculous methods
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The Kings Speech & its’ unique relationship to the Alexander Technique.

As an Alexander Technique teacher, I simply can’t help blogging about the film, The Kings Speech. I’m not sure if it is because the work of good old lionel was so relevant to my own work or that perhaps because working with people in this way is so inspirational. We can’t all expect to work with such haughty types as the King, but in many ways, it doesn’t matter who you work with. What really stands out as important is the element of transformation. When somebody turns up on the doorstep with a genuine need, a real problem it becomes so personal. Working one-to-one with no-one else around we can really get down to some very deep and meaningful work. Work that really matters. In most peoples lives there is one thing (or more) that really gets in the way of living life to the full. In the King’s case, it is the stutter. When people watch this film it isn’t really the stutter that resonates but the way in which something hinders our lives. The question becomes about what we can do to change that ball and chain we all know we have. And there lies the really interesting thing about the Kings speech. What is available to us that will really work. The scene with the marbles in his mouth both shocked and appalled because this man was obviously earning his living using not only antiquated methods but ones that don’t really work. In my line of business as an Alexander Teacher, I meet many people who have ‘tried everything’, much like the King in this film. I meet an awful lot of people who turn up really not expecting any results and they say things like, ‘I’ll try anything really’. Which leaves you with a feeling of being really put on the spot. A sort of well sorry about that I’ll see what I can do.

As the Alexander Technique is so powerful and reaches such a broad cross-section of problems, including stuttering, we soon have better responses; ‘I think this is working, I haven’t had a migraine for so long now’ or ‘I am sleeping so well these days’. So there really is that feeling so beautifully conveyed in ‘The Kings Speech’ of genuinely helping people. And I think this is really the most important aspect of our work and ‘The Kings Speech’ that makes it such a great job and such a great film, really helping people to get over their problems and transform their lives. And of course for me that means teaching theAlexander Technique Alexander Technique.

Npchapman

Nick Chapman is an Alexander Technique teacher in private practice.

He qualified as a teacher at The Constructive Teaching Centre Lansdowne road in Holland Park and is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. He holds the certificate for teachers of the F. Matthias Alexander Technique. He was trained by W.H.M. Carrington.and D.M.G. Carrington. W.H.M. Carrington studied with Alexander and was the most influential teacher in the country. He is now a legend. His wife Dylis was also his teacher and was just as influential.

Nick Chapman is employed by Merrill Lynch and UBS as the resident Alexander Teacher.

Nick Chapman has considerable experience in the treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal, stress and anxiety related problems.

He worked with the Odyssey Trust, where he used Alexander Technique and other relaxation methods for the relief of drug withdrawal.

He also worked in nursing homes where the nurses found great benefits using the technique for stress and the management of various physical problems from maneuvering and handling high risk patients.