Centre for the Alexander Technique
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Sport and the Performance Arts
Sport and artistic performance offer their own particular challenges for the individual. Many of these are well understood by sports psychologists and physiologists. Yet misuse and distortions in the use of the body (and mind) are commonly observed even at the highest level. These are often readily preventable with appropriate skilled guidance and with conscious application from the performer. The habitual muscular patterns in the use of our bodies which we all acquire during the course of our lives are intensified by training and pressure for performance. Where these are dysfunctional they can lead to injury and a failure to fulfil potential in performance. These habits can be unlearned with a consequent freeing of the musculature and reduction undesirable side effects. In addition to the application of self-management skills to actual performance and practice attention needs to be paid to a much neglected aspect of the life of the performer. This is the manner of use of the body when "off duty". It is commonplace to observe tennis players slumped in their chairs during breaks or bending harmfully to retrieve an item from their bag. Countless other instances may be found in other sports and in the arts. These habits need to be addressed if they are not to impinge on actual performance and health in the long run. Warming up and down need also to be addressed in order to maintain the best condition of the individual at all times, not just during performance and training.
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