The Alexander Technique in Pregnancy and Beyond

The Alexander Technique is a re education process in the use of the self (1). The teaching recognizes that the way we use our bodies in daily life will affect for better or worse the way we function, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Pregnancy is a time of enormous physical and psychological change. During this time Alexander lessons can be a constant and reassuring reference to enable women to self work (2). She will learn how to, stop harmful habits of use and consciously guide herself into balance in all daily activities and situations. This ability to self work will help prevent postural aches and pains, fatigue, poor breathing habits and emotional distress.

In the anti-natal period, Alexander lessons will help women understand why the upright posture and being free of unnecessary tensions is so important at this time. Apart from preventing back pain, joint pain and heartburn, upright and or forward leaning postures will help facilitate what is now recognized as, optimum foetal positioning (3).

The position most favorable to allow babies head to engage easily into the pelvis is the occipto-anterior position. ‘OA' labors are likely to be shorter, less painful and there is less likelihood of medical intervention.

In labor, knowledge of the Alexander Technique can help empower woman, because she will have ‘tools' i.e., practical instruction in how to self-work in an unfamiliar situation. For example; at the onset of labor, rather than react in the instinctive, automatic way which activates the startle/fear reflex, she will be able to choose how to react, position herself and breathe in such a way that will help prevent unnecessary tension and anxiety.
The startle/fear reflex causes a release of the hormone adrenalin which heightens tension throughout the body, restricts breathing and only aggravates the situation. It could also hinder the progress of labor. The world famous French obstetrician, Michel Odent reports, "Any situation likely to trigger a release of hormones of the adrenalin family also tends to stimulate the neocortex and to inhibit the birth process" (4).

The role of the breath in helping to facilitate relaxation is essential knowledge for women in preparation for labor. The Alexander Technique's ‘whispered ah' can be extremely beneficial.

Unfortunately, specific breathing instruction is not taught in anti-natal clinics today. When a woman in labor is in a less fearful and anxious state, her body will release the natural pain-killing hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin not only helps ease the pain but also its flow ensures that the progress of labor continues without interruption, Odent refers to oxytocin. "the hormone of love" (4).

After birth, the physical, psychological and emotional needs of women are extremely important. At this time women can often neglect their own needs in order to care for the new baby and family.

It is for this reason that the Alexander Technique, as a psychophysical re-education in the use of the self, can benefit women because; she will be able to monitor her tension levels more accurately; she will have a heightened sensory awareness that will enable her to recognize when she is becoming too tired and or falling into poor postural use; and she will be able to stop, and bring herself into balance. In this way she will help prevent anxiety, fatigue and or post-natal depression, and…both mother and baby will be smiling!

The Alexander Principle (5), in a course of individual lessons can benefit men, women and children of all ages because it cultivates conscious awareness and freedom from the habitual. It is a sound, practical re-education process in the use of the self, to be… childlike, upright, free and alert!

Diana Devitt-Dawson

Diana Devitt-Dawson, M.STAT (London), M.AUSTAT, M.RCN.Cert.Midf. is director of the Alexander Technique Institute Teacher/Practitioner Training School, Crows Nest, Sydney. Teacher training is a three year, full-time, 1600 hour study with a teacher/ student ratio of 1:5.

For the complete brochure on, The Alexander Technique in Pregnancy and Beyond, or Alexander lessons and workshops in the anti-natal period and or after birth please contact Diana.

Contact phone numbers: (02) 9439 9553 or (02) 9247 5991

For further information see - Alexander Technique Birth Stories

References:- 1. Alexander F.M The Use of the Self first published 1932 U.K. Reissued 2001 by Orion Books, London
2. Forastrom B. The Alexander Technique for Pregnancy and Childbirth published U.K.
3. Sutton J. & Scott P. Optimal Foetal Positioning, published by Birth Concepts 1995, New Zealand.
4. Odent M. The Scientification of Love, published 1999, U.K.
5. Barlow W. The Alexander Principle, first published 1973, U.K. Reissued 2001, Orion Books, U.K.