Hi Everyone,
This is my virgin post on the website so here goes. Thought i would share my insights on tai chi , qi gong etc. I used to do a lot of tai chi pre-diagnosis and really enjoyed it. When I started to feel less well but did't really understand what was up, I began to enjoy tai chi less and less becuase I felt a bit crowded in the class atmosphere - I even joined a tai chi class for seniors! Everyone there was so friendly but I used to get so tired mid-way through the class and it began to depress me slightly that all the so-called seniors 30 years or so older than me had more energy than I did!!!
Anyway, have dabbled with alexander technique over the years for various postural complaints but never seriously thought about it in relation to MS. However, after doing a bit of googling for Alexander technique and Multiple Sclerosis, I have given it a go again. I am seeing my teacher twice a week for the first month or so and then will probably go down to once a week. I love it because it really does help me feel reconnected to my body and that is a big issue for me. Whenever I have relapses, my right leg usually becomes paralysed and I feel that it is an alien part of my body, part of me but not part of me if you know what I mean. Anyway, Alexander Technique makes me feel whole again.
just a few practical things:
1. You don't have to be mobile to do have alexander Technique lessons.
2. I have copied the link for the google search that I did. Check it out.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Alexander+technique+%2B+multiple+...
3. I would recommend that you go witha teacher who really does Alexander out of a sense of vocation rather than a career change.
4. The two teachers that I have had a very close relationship with form and movement in general. For example, my first alexander teacher played the violin and this was helpful in that he had a very good insight into postural problems. My current Alexander technique teacher is a former dancer and therefore has a really good sense of movement and mobility problems.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to try and give you a more comprehensive insight into Alexander. It's really like learning a new life skill that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. If like me, you tend to shy away from group classes for the moment, Alexander is wonderful becuase you get that individual attention which is often so lacking despite people's good intentions.
Good luck and enjoy
Yes! we list many techniques in the resource chapter at the end of our book- Alexander technique among them. Any way that encourages the sense of wholeness is healing all by itself. I agree that the most important thing is to find a teacher who is both knowledgeable and loves what they do- that they embody the desire to investigate the mysteries of the human body and the by-product of healing that each method offers. As an adjunct to the diet, regular exercise is highly recommended, whichever form you choose. To have someone guiding you from outside of your own body experience is extremely helpful. To stick with one form or another for a while is also helpful as you gain a baseline sense of where you began and how much more you can accomplish in any given method as time goes on. Thanks for your endorsement of Alexander. We love to hear from all of you who have found ways to aid in your recovery process. Judi