What is the Alexander Technique?
FM Alexander (1869-1955) observed that the relationship between the head, neck and torso is primary in controlling overall posture, movement and function. AT is taught through gentle hands-on guidance. During lessons pupils become aware of how and where tension is created and ways to prevent or release it. AT improves poise, bringing greater ease and freedom of movement into daily life.

What would you say was the main thing most swimmers do wrong?
They think too much about breathing, and in particular about breathing in. This has a number of effects. It makes them anxious and therefore stiff. It also means that if they do put their face in the water whenever it is moved towards the surface they tend to snatch their head back. The end result is that they struggle with the water, and because they are stiff they are more likely to need more air, and therefore it becomes a vicious circle. Furthermore because they are ill at ease and are not able to let go they do not balance well in the water. This means that their legs tend to sink. This also adds to their discomfort and fear.

How will the Method help non-swimmers and beginners learn to swim?
By teaching the student how to float and relax in the water the Method enables them to discover ease. The cycle of fear and lack of breath described above is therefore broken and swimming becomes easier.

How long does it take to learn this technique?
The speed with which someone learns this technique depends on a number of factors. If the student is able to relax and to practice it may well only take five or so weeks before they are swimming. However one can never be certain, and for some students mastering a particular practice may take longer. Being able to attend all the lessons, and being able to practice a least a couple of times will make a big difference.

Can swimming be an art rather than a sport?
Yes, but most people get far too distracted by the usual view of swimming as competitive sport. This is sad because it means that many do not get as much enjoyment as they could. For some swimming as an art will mean something that focuses on swimming the standard strokes well: on developing an elegant technique. For others swimming as an art will mean discovering the joys of exploring and working with water using movements that are far removed from the standard stroke patterns.

Breaststroke: what is the most common error amongst public (leisure) swimmers?
The most common error is to see putting the face in the water as a big mistake. For a surprising number of swimmers the water is still regarded as ‘the enemy’. Their fear prevents them from truly enjoying and becoming at one with the water. Their swimming is therefore a form of struggle.

How can the approach help swimmers with injuries?
Because the Shaw Method ensures that the swimmer’s body is in good alignment and because the water supports the body, there is no danger of the joints being damaged through being made to do too much work. This method creates a form of exercise that facilitates the healing process by providing a means of exercise that is very free from the dangers of injuring people.

Why do people fear swimming in water?
There are many possible ways for people to develop fears. I describe one cause as “Something Nasty In the Woodshed” (from Stella Gibbons novel “Cold Comfort Farm”) and this usually the result of a nasty experience in the water. Another possible cause is that because the person has not yet learnt how to move and float in the water they fear they may fall down and not be able to right themselves. There are of course some people who have a deep phobia but in my view this is a quite different level of fear and whereas the former levels can often be dissipated by a gradual gentle set of exercises introducing the student to water, phobias will probably need the attention of a psychiatrist or the like.

Who was FM Alexander?
He was a Tasmanian actor whose speciality was Shakespearian recitals. Although considered good he found that his voice kept cracking up. He went to doctors to see if they could identify the problem but they assured him that there was nothing physically wrong. He then decided to see if he could discover what the problem was. Eventually after scrutinising himself in a triple mirror arrangement he discovered that whenever he started to recite he would throw his head back, gasp for air, and then depress his larynx. After a considerable amount of experimentation he discovered that being able to maintain the correct head position was key to resolving the problem. His technique was originally seen as being related to breathing. His subsequent work widened the application of the technique.

How has my swimming changed since starting the course?
After the first three of four sessions I realised that I had lost what I originally gained when first having lessons in this method: the ability to do each stroke slowly and mindfully. The last few months have been an opportunity to rediscover how to swim slower and with more awareness of what I am doing. They have also enabled me to explore the differences between the various versions of strokes that I have looked at since starting.