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Dr. Yukihiro Takada

STAT qualified Alexander Technique teacher, Ph.D. of Science

Yukihiro Takada is an Alexander Technique Teacher certified by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Yukihiro discovered the Alexander Technique in the process of looking for a solution to movement disorder of his left little finger (focal dystonia) that occurs when playing the clarinet; He took his first lesson in autumn 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. He was shocked by the richness of the sound and the ease of playing after his first lesson and immediately decided to continue taking lessons.

In November 2020, further improvement of her finger problems and an interest in the depths of the Alexander Technique led Yukihiro to Ireland, where he attended a teacher training course at The Alexander Technique Centre, Galway, Ireland. He studied the principles and practical works of the Alexander Technique with Richard Brennan, working with people who want to improve physical ailments such as neck, shoulder, back and hip pain and sciatica; mental and emotional ailments such as anxiety, stress and trauma; breathing, speech, presentation and performances such as singing and playing the instruments.

Yukihiro completed his teacher training course in February 2024. Throughout the course, he also overcame the movement disorder of his finger. He starts working as a STAT-certified Alexander Technique teacher from April 2024.

Yukihiro was born in Obihiro and raised in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. He earned his Doctorate degree in Pure and Applied Physics from the Graduate School of Science and Technology at the University of Tsukuba in 2012, receiving a Ph.D. in Science (Physics).

STAT website: https://alexandertechnique.co.uk/users/y-takada

Alexander Technique and I

I first came across the Alexander Technique when I was looking for a solution to a problem with my left little finger when playing the clarinet. I bought a book about the Alexander Technique for musicians (Pedro de Alcantara: "Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique"). Even though I read it hard, I didn't really get any idea. After that, I forgot about the book for a while.

It was October 2018 in Tokyo, Japan that I went to my first Alexander lesson with my clarinet. Although I had no clue what was happening during the lesson, the sound I produced afterwards was rich and effortless. I was amazed and immediately booked a second lesson. I wanted to know more about what was happening to me.



Training in Galway, Ireland

Although I had a feeling that the Alexander Technique could be useful for my problems, I was still in my maze of understanding it. I continued to attend lessons, but I began to think that I wanted to see another teacher and learn from a different perspective as well. I happened to find the Alexander Technique Centre in Galway, Ireland, and Richard Brennan, who runs training courses there, on the internet. I had never been to Ireland before, but the words on the website, 'students from outside the EU are welcome', encouraged me to contact him. Finally It was the autumn of 2020, more than one-year after my first visit to the school that I arrived to Ireland in the middle of the Covid pandemic and started the training course.

The training course has been a great fun for me. Simple, very practical and transformative. The whole experience is life-changing. I have discovered a lot through the hands on work with Richard, other teachers and classmates, discussions related to the Technique and friendly chats. The environment and atmosphere of the school fully supported me. All learnings are precious and have helped me to be myself. 

Learning (or I should say un-learning) in the training course  made me aware of what I was doing and my habits, and I was able to overcome my initial problem of movement disorder of my finger (focal dystonia ) by unlearning the habits that were causing it, as well as learning how to pass on the Alexander Technique to others. In the process, the tension in my shoulders and back and headaches that had built up over many years of research and desk work has also been relieved and I am able to spend my days with ease.

My experiences related to the movement disorder and the Alexander Technique are summarised in the following website (in Japanese). I wrote the articles in the summer of 2023. If you are interested, I hope you will find that useful too. Since then, and to this day, my fingers are in good condition and continue to improve.

『局所性ジストニアを見つめる』: https://note.com/ytatlab/m/mb6a8f5fce399

About Yukihiro Takada Alexander Technique Research Centre

The 'Yukihiro Takada Alexander Technique Reseach centre' is founded for

  • Performing educational activities using the Alexander Technique
  • Promoting the Alexander Technique
  • Research activities on human life and health based on the Alexander Technique

The theme of the Institute is 「諧 Kai」meaning harmony and ease, aiming to harmonise the workings of the self (body/mind/emotion) through the Alexander Technique, so that people can enjoy more harmonious and easeful lives.