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Alexander Technique at work
Much of our life – in education and in
the work-place – is spent sitting. However, our bodies need
activity and so sitting should be as active as possible. An
understanding of how the spine can support itself via the pelvis
is part of the solution. Fine-tuning the ergonomics to facilitate
"active" sitting is a key part in mitigating the worst effects of
a largely sedentary lifestyle.
Some limitations of HSE Guidance
Current Health and Safety Executive thinking does not start from
how people can and should be (with intelligent help) but how they
have become – the normal slumped posture which tends to
deteriorate over the years. Reliance on the immediate sense of
what is "comfortable" makes it harder, if not impossible, to
cultivate a life-long ease of sitting.
Seat base, angle and height play the pivotal role in the New
Ergonomics. Contrary to HSE guidelines – which start with
the adjustment of the screen – we start with the chair; the
monitor and the rest of the work-station needs to be adjusted to
suit that individual supported actively on a chair correctly but
flexibly adjusted for them. For example, a tall person needs to
sit on a higher seat and this requires the use of desk raisers.
It makes no sense in the long run to encourage them to lower
their chair so that the rest of the work-station is at the
"correct" height.
A way forward
For more than 20 years, I have taught hundreds of individuals an
Alexander-informed ergonomics so that they can cope better with
the stresses of the workplace. I have also provided customised
training programmes and work-station assessments to a range of
public and private bodies in Norfolk. Clients have included:
Norwich Union, Virgin Money, Fielder and Mawson Architects,
University of East Anglia, Town Close School and Online Media
Group.
Such training tends to lessen work-related stress:
- prevent RSI problems
- reduce headaches, back pain
- increase alertness and powers of concentration
Manual Handling
Many jobs require some bending and lifting. Most training offered
comes down to "bend your knees and keep your back straight".
That's easy to remember but very limited.
An Alexander approach to this issue would be to convey a more
dynamic idea of the use of the body as a whole, including the
need to release up and back out of the hips so that the legs fold
underneath the body.
Clients have included the National Health Service and carers
groups (Social Services).
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