Why the Alexander Technique is Your Posture’s Best Friend (Hint: It’s All About Poise)

Let’s talk about posture. You know, that thing your mom nagged you about at the dinner table? The thing you still feel guilty about when you catch yourself hunched over your laptop like a question mark? We’ve all been there. But what if I told you that sitting up straight isn’t about forcing your shoulders back or clenching your core like a soldier at attention? Enter the Alexander Technique—a 100-year-old unique method that’s less about “fixing” your posture and more about finding poise. And trust me, poise is the real deal.

Picture this: a world class ballet dancer gliding across a stage. They’re upright, graceful, totally at ease. Now picture someone “practicing good posture” by stiffly holding themselves upright, like a mannequin in a department store. Spot the difference? One is alive, adaptable, effortless. The other? Let’s just say it’s a one-way ticket to Tension Town.

We all know poise when we see it. You can have two dancers that both know the choreography perfectly, yet one communicates effortless artistry, and the other, effortful athleticism. It's ineffable, no words to describe it, yet you can immediately sense they're having different experiences. 

That’s the magic of the Alexander Technique. It doesn’t drill you into holding “perfect” positions, or isolating muscles to be strengthened (hello the myth of core strength). Instead, it teaches you poise, a dynamic, mindful way of moving through the world. Poise isn’t a pose; it’s an attitude, a way of being. It’s about being present in your body, not fighting it.  

Developed by F.M. Alexander to initially to overcome his own vocal issues (soreness and loss of voice), his method is all about unlearning the postural and functional habits that mess with your natural functioning and support. Alexander realized his posture and tension habits were sabotaging his ability to speak, so he pioneered a way to move with more awareness and less strain. Spoiler: It worked.  

The technique boils down to a few simple ideas:

1. Primary Control: the name given to the relationship between the head and the neck. By recognising how the head naturally balances on the spine you can become aware of any interference to this relationship, which is also an indication of an overall discoordination.
2. Inhibition: or pausing, instead of reacting automatically, you learn to stop and choose a better way.
3. Directing: Gently guiding your body through intention into ease, such as “release your spine into length” vs. “sit up straight”. The classic direction in the Alexander Technique is to "let your neck be free to let your head go forward and up",  the most important word there being let. When you're not interfering with your Primary Control "forward and up" describes the natural balance of the head on the spine.

Here’s the kicker: the Alexander Technique isn’t the posture police. It’s a mindset. When you stop judging your yourself (“Ugh, why am I slouching again?!”) and start curiously observing it, everything shifts. You learn to move with intention, whether you’re washing dishes or deadlifting. It's something I say often, the hardest thing about the Alexander Technique is not being self judgemental. If you can crack that, you're halfway home.

For example, ever notice how you scrunch your shoulders when stressed? The Alexander approach isn’t to yank them down but to ask, “Do I actually need to hold tension here?” Often, the answer is nope. By letting go (physically and mentally), you find balance without the battle.

The best part? Poise spills into everything. Ever seen someone walk into a room radiating calm confidence? That’s poise in action. It’s not about standing like a statue; it’s about feeling grounded, agile, and ready for whatever comes.

Practicing the Alexander Technique can mean fewer aches and pains (Clinical research funded by the NHS supports the Alexander Technique in helping back pain), easier breathing, and yes, better posture. But it’s also a rebellion against the idea that bodies are problems to fix. Instead, it’s an invitation to move through life with curiosity and kindness.  

You don’t need a fancy setup. Start small: Next time you’re scrolling Instagram, pause. Notice if your jaw’s clenched or your ribs are collapsed. Breathe. Let there be some space between you and the screen. Release upwards. That’s poise, baby.  

Or, take a lesson with an Alexander teacher (they’re wonderfully hands-on). You might just discover that “good posture” was never about being rigid—it’s about being alive in your body.  

So, ditch the guilt. Stand tall, not because you should, but because you’re giving yourself the grace to move freely. Your future self—and your spine—will thank you.  

P.S. If you’re into mindfulness, yoga, or just want to feel like a majestic giraffe instead of a stressed-out turtle, the Alexander Technique might just be your jam.