Big thank you from Lisburn.com

Alexander technique helps ensure youngsters are 'poised for life'

To help raise awareness of the long term problems that poor posture can cause, this year's International Alexander Awareness Week October 8.14 - will focus on children, encouraging and supporting their parents and teachers to help children and pupils be 'Poised for life'.

To help raise awareness of the long term problems that poor posture can cause, this year's International Alexander Awareness Week October 8.14 - will focus on children, encouraging and supporting their parents and teachers to help children and pupils be 'Poised for life'.

NEW figures show that more than eight out of 10 children in the area, who are allowed to play games on hand held devices, games consoles and computers, spend up to four hours a day doing so.

According to their parents, the children spend the time playing games on a variety of gadgets including smartphones, laptops, Xbox and Wii.

In comparison, the city with the lowest proportion of children gaming for up to four hours a day was Edinburgh at 72% and the joint highest were Nottingham and Sheffield at 95%.

The figures are revealed in a survey of parents in 15 major UK cities and Dublin who expressed concerns about gaming affecting their children's health and wellbeing with poor posture, headaches, back problems and a lack of concentration all reported as issues.

Colin Beattie, a Lisburn teacher of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT), said: "When children spend hours at a time sitting intensely focused on a screen, bad posture, such as slouching, hunching and joint stiffening, can grow easily and imperceptibly. These can lead to many health problems including neck and back pain, restricted breathing and musculoskeletal disorders.

"The Alexander Technique is a great tool — it teaches you how to recognise and avoid bad habits so that you benefit from less stiffness and pain and improved poise and wellbeing.

"We want children to gain the skills and benefits involved in gaming and using computers with strategies that help them to avoid the potential harm to their health."

The survey conducted by STAT which is helping a growing number of children and young people address poor posture and mobility problems.

And to help raise awareness of the long term problems that poor posture can cause, this year's
International Alexander Awareness Week October 8 - 14 — will focus on children, encouraging and supporting their parents and teachers to help children and pupils be 'Poised for Life'.

STAT teachers across the UK are taking part in International Alexander Awareness Week and introductory Alexander Technique lessons are available. To find your nearest STAT teacher, go to
www.stat.org.uk

Ulster Star
05/10/2012