Sergi Rodríguez Nijpjes
Alexander Technique instructor and Senior Technician for Work Hazard Prevention.
The search for answers to the big questions around the evolution of human existence and my interest in education made me start a degree in Pedagogy but I ended up finishing a degree in Philosophy. I was a bit of a nuisance for the teachers as I was always asking about the practical side of what I was being taught. At the same time, I was involved in special needs education and through that I discovered my own needs.
During the mid 90’s I had lots of back aches and thanks to a recommendation from a cellist friend I started taking one-to-one sessions on the Alexander Technique in Terrassa. Those sessions not only made me improve but they also became a revelation that changed my outlook on life. I was so excited that I went to the Netherlands to become a trainer in that discipline (I spent 3 years with 1600 hours in class!). During my time in the Netherlands, I practised the technique for a while and when I came back I contributed to the publishing of the book “Canviar hàbits i prevenir trastorns musculoesquelètics – Introducció a al Tècnica Alexander aplicada a l’àmbit laboral” (“Change habits and prevent musculoskeletal disorders – Introduction to the Alexander Technique applied to the workplace”.
Later, I took a master’s degree in the Prevention of Work Hazards and became a specialist in Ergonomics and Psychosociology. As my final project I worked with a local dental clinic, and we got very good results regarding the reduction of MSDs. I received the highest grade and all the professors suggested that I should put the method into practise and offer it to the dental sector as it is much needed.
So, what I am offering is NEW and USEFUL (it bears no relation to the usual short Health & Safety courses) because IT WORKS! It specifically targets dental industry professionals. I’m talking about improving the quality of work and people’s quality of life resulting in a reduction in time off work due to MSDs.
““The practical acknowledgement of the principle of prevention makes it possible for human beings to progress towards higher evolutionary levels and will bring greater levels of achievement and activity.”
F.M. Alexander
THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
What is it used for?
The human body has a very refined anti-gravity system that keeps the balance and coordination involved in all that we do. Bad posture and movement (kinaesthetic) habits that are continually repeated for years become automated and unconscious, preventing our body functioning normally. Those bad posture and kinaesthetic habits can have a very negative effect on both our physical and mental functions.
Due to stress, rushing and the power of habits, we are creating tensions that interfere with our natural mechanisms. The Alexander Technique teaches how to recognise unnecessary muscular tensions and gives us the tools to prevent them, resulting in a new more effective way to use our own body (posture and coordination improvement).
Fredrick Matthias Alexander findings
Frederic Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) was an Australian actor. From a very young age, he suffered from breathing problems and frequent aphonia that prevented him from pursuing a normal career. Doctors and teachers suggested that he keep taking breaks to rest his voice, so it would come back with time. He realised that the breaks were just a temporary solution as he would lose his voice again as soon as he went back to acting. He reached the conclusion that the problem must come from something he was doing when he spoke, and he was determined to find out what it was.
Slowly, during his investigative process, he started discovering that the problem was much wider than he initially thought. The base of the problem was not just in his vocal strain, but his whole being, body and mind. His psychophysical condition had sole responsibility for the quality of everything he was doing.
Later, he found out that the objective of his research was not particular to him and that it was common to most people. He managed to change the habits that were disrupting his life and then he found the way to teach that to others. This is how during his life he developed the technique named after him and that it is still taught nowadays.
Fredrick Matthias Alexander findings
Frederic Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) was an Australian actor. From a very young age, he suffered from breathing problems and frequent aphonia that prevented him from pursuing a normal career. Doctors and teachers suggested that he keep taking breaks to rest his voice, so it would come back with time. He realised that the breaks were just a temporary solution as he would lose his voice again as soon as he went back to acting. He reached the conclusion that the problem must come from something he was doing when he spoke, and he was determined to find out what it was.
Slowly, during his investigative process, he started discovering that the problem was much wider than he initially thought. The base of the problem was not just in his vocal strain, but his whole being, body and mind. His psychophysical condition had sole responsibility for the quality of everything he was doing.
Later, he found out that the objective of his research was not particular to him and that it was common to most people. He managed to change the habits that were disrupting his life and then he found the way to teach that to others. This is how during his life he developed the technique named after him and that it is still taught nowadays.
HAVE YOU GOT ANY QUESTIONS?
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