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Alexander Technique in the Workplace The British Library Staff Are happy!

Thespians and workplace staff everywhere have cause to be grateful to Australian actor Frederick Matthias Alexander. Troubled by problems with his voice on stage, and unable to find help from conventional Victorian medicine: Alexander created his own therapy, based on observation of his own body and posture.
The technique is based on the relationship between the head and the spine, from which the condition of the rest of the body flows. Slouch and you will suffer – create delicate poise and you release unnecessary muscle tension and relieve everything from neck and back pain to arthritis, migraines, sciatica, insomnia and even depression.
Keen to experience the benefits of the technique for its staff, the British Library uses the Alexander Technique as part of its corporate wellbeing programme.
According to HR director Mary Canavan, the idea came from the staff themselves, some of whom had attended classes individually and enthused about its benefits. So the organisation arranged for an Alexander Technique teacher to run classes in the workplace at a reduced rate for staff.
‘The workshops have been well received and individuals who regularly attend the classes have commented on feeling more alert and productive,’ says Canavan. ‘They sleep better at night, and there is a reduction in back problems and an improvement in general wellbeing.’
Two one-hour Alexander Technique workshops are run each week, with places for six staff members each. Half-hour private lessons are also available for those who want to pursue the technique at their own expense.
As befits the implementation of a holistic therapy initiative, there are no specific productivity statistics to justify the financial investment.
Instead, the programme is seen as part of a ‘complete and coherent package’ that provides benefits to the business as well as individual employees.
Among these, Canavan cites a healthier workforce, leading to what she describes as a ‘virtuous circle’ of lower absence, reduced costs of absenteeism and increased productivity. Another aim is engagement by demonstrating the emphasis the library places on employee health – ‘this is a valuable recruitment and retention tool,’ she notes.

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.