Swimming with the Alexander Technique

What makes the Shaw Method so successful and what differentiates it from other approaches to swimming is its links to the Alexander Technique. Whilst the vast majority of teachers draw on a competitive mindset the Shaw Method draws its inspiration from F.M Alexander’s powerful method of rediscovering natural balance and poise.

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique (AT) is a practical method created by FM Alexander (1869-1955) for developing more awareness and control in the activities of everyday life. The technique works on the relationship between the mind and body, helping us to unlearn automatic patterns of thought and action, which can have a detrimental effect on our health and well being. The AT helps develop our co-ordination allowing greater ease and freedom of movement.

How you learn the Alexander Technique?

You learn the Alexander Technique through one-to-one lessons with a qualified teacher. This setting provides the best opportunity for your individual needs to be addressed.The number of lessons you take will depend on your particular needs and goals, and these can be discussed with your teacher. Learning the Alexander Technique involves changing long-standing habits, so improvement relies in part on your active participation.

Alexander Teachers

Alexander Technique teachers are trained in the art of observation and expert guidance, and will lead you through a process tailored to your needs. Over a course of sessions, your teacher helps you release muscular tension and restore your body's natural poise. As you address your entire body - not just segments - you learn to improve your overall functioning.

Principals of the Alexander technique

As Alexander's principles are at the heart of the Shaw Method it is useful to briefly explore some of the key AT concepts.

Use - A term to describe a person’s psychophysical interaction with their environment. Swimming with good use involves moving through the water in way that promotes good alignment with minimal physical or mental strain.

Primary Control – ‘A certain use of the head neck in relation to the rest of the body’. For Alexander the quality of the head-neck-back relationship was the single most important factor affecting overall use. Paying attention to form and allowing the head to lead the rest of the body is the best way to resolve specific stroke faults.

Kinaesthetic awareness - The ability to sense the position, orientation and movement of the body. Feedback from the water enhances the development of body awareness.

End Gaining - Striving for results without attending to process. Swimming for fitness without considering technique often leads to strain and injury.

Inhibition - Creating the space for choice between stimulus and reaction. To counter the undesirable habit of taking a big breath before putting the face in the water it is necessary to inhibit this automatic response before consciously inhaling.

Giving directions – The ability to project a series of constructive thoughts that promote lengthening and widening. In swimming to counter the tendency of pulling the arms backwards it is useful to direct your attention to holding the water and moving the torso forward.

Faulty sensory appreciation - Good use requires accurate kinaesthetic awareness, force of habit and a lack of conscious control undermine this ability leading to faulty sensory appreciation. If you are accustomed to an uneven breaststroke leg action a symmetrical leg action is likely feel wrong.

Thinking in Activity - Swimming in an unthinking way reduces the ability to feel and respond to water, a mindful approach enables you to become more responsive to the effects of buoyancy and resistance and thereby more in tune with the water.

Non-doing - The conscious ability to leave one self alone and avoid automatic responses. It is preferable to consciously let go and allow the water to support you as opposed to trying to hold yourself up.

Download a PDF review of the Alexander Technique in swimming 'Uncharted Waters'

Alexander Technique Lessons

During lessons, with a qualified teacher (MSTAT), you learn how to undo the tensions patterns, which are at the root of your discomfort, and to improve your sense of alignment and balance; you learn to sit, stand and move with safety, efficiency and ease.

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