The Alexander Technique has been in existence for well over a hundred years and it has proved tremendously successful in helping people overcome back pain, breathing problems, poor posture and stress. So why is it that more women than men choose to learn it?

1. The majority of Alexander teachers are women. So what if F.M. Alexander was a man and, to be precise, a mans man? A rugged individualist with an enduring love of horses and horse racing, he developed his Technique because it was his nature to be proactive and contribute to the solution of his health problems. Regrettably, he also had his sensitive, intuitive side, and this is shared by a lot of women (and men) who have since trained in his Technique.

2. Alexander teachers are vegetarians who do yoga and want to save the planet. As a breed, AT teachers are socially responsible. Still, there are plenty of red meat eaters among them. There are also sports people, martial artists, musicians, actors, body builders, computer nerds Overall, theyre rather like the rest of the population. (They can even be sexist at times!!!.) But theyre committed to helping people maximise their sense of physical wholeness and well-being.

3. Real men prefer to tough things out. Why, when some professional output could make it so much easier for them to achieve what they want? But then, real men dont go to the doctor. They may complain, but they can put up with pain and limitations of movement. Learning the AT it would mean learning different ways of thinking, and going, about their everyday physical activity. It could mean making an enduring commitment to their physical well being.

4. Real men dont do self-care. Men do health and fitness; women do self-care. In fact self-care, far from being fluffy and flaky is about broadening your vision and developing your health and fitness strategy so that it best meets your goals. The AT can help you keep meeting those goals long-term, without boredom or injury. It can also give you a broader perspective in other areas of your life.

5. Real men dont do alternative therapies. How many men do you know who are up for colonic irrigation'? In reality, the AT is not a therapy, it is a progressive re-education in the art of activity without injury. So people who learn the AT are not patients or clients, but pupils which might be even worse. Also the AT is not about getting it right (or wrong), so it doesnt foster the competitive spirit.

6. Its not macho. The AT is not like football. It is not practised in a pack, in a noisy, smoke-filled, alcohol-fuelled atmosphere. It is practised one to one, with a Teacher who is sensitive to the pupils individual make-up. An AT teacher is attuned to the pupils body and encourages the pupil to become increasingly aware of how they can maximise their fitness activities while protecting their body from wear and tear.

7. You cant work off your aggression that way. Absolutely right, but it could help you reduce it, more or less spontaneously over time. The AT reduces stress levels and can make you feel good about yourself. It teaches you how to undo muscular tension. The knock-on effect is that physical the freeing up makes most people able to divest themselves of a lot of psychological tensions, surprisingly easily.

8. It could involve deferring to your partners superior judgement. There are plenty of men who slump in an armchair and say to their partner: Your postures terrible. You really should do something about it. They may even be right. But The Little Woman cant be expected to know whats good for you. She might have problems, but youre fine just the way you are. Different rules apply.

9. It could make you look better. Sure, youre committed to going to the gym and working out. The Alexander Technique wont give you a six pack, but it will get you looking taller, straighter and broader across the shoulders, even leaner; so you can get a huge return on a very small outlay of effort.

10. You cant get up a sweat doing it. Unfortunately you wont need a good shower; so it wont result in extra bear hugs for your partner. Sad because sweaty men always seem to be affectionate men. Nor will you wake up the next morning with aching muscles. But you may find that you look taller, straighter, broader and even leaner. Its not a more is more thing. Its about achieving maximum results, in the gentlest, subtlest way possible.

(C) 2004 Annie Kaszina