“A correct position or posture indicates a fixed position, and a person held to a fixed position cannot grow, as we understand growth. The correct position today cannot be the correct position a week later for any person who is advancing in the work of reeducation and coordination. F.M. Alexander
Doing the Alexander Technique right.
During Alexander Technique lessons, people frequently sit up straight or move their head around and ask: Is this right?” I answer differently in different situations, but the real answer is yes. And no. When it comes to the Alexander Technique right and wrong, good and bad won’t have the same significance we may be used to. Slumping isn’t wrong, once it becomes a choice. We also don’t want to have to rigidly sit up straight with so called ‘good posture’.
Alexander Technique goal.
The goal of Alexander Technique lessons is improvement. We’re not trying to get to a destination; we’re moving forward and up. Don’t worry about ‘getting it’, or ‘doing it right’.
As you move forward, posture improves, back pain subsides, and neck tension lessens.
The British Medical Journal wrote all about the efficacy of the Alexander Technique on it’s front cover in 2008.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Great post! I really love the quote of Alexander you’ve put on top of the article. “The correct position today cannot be the correct position a week later.” Or even a moment later, as the situations we are in are constantly changing.
Today many people believe there was a right way of doing things: timemanagement has to be this way, posture has to be that way, a good marriage has do be like this or that blabla and so on. If all this stuff would be working, then nobody would have problems!
But people do have problems!
I truely believe, that there are no “general” answers to what an individual experiences. Because of this, a technique like the Alexander Technique is so important in our world today, as it teaches us to think constructively about ourselves – every moment in a fresh and new way…
Thanks Daniel,
Yes! And it’s so hard when my Alexander Technique students ask: ‘Is this right?’ Saying yes means that there’s a right way and a wrong way to ‘do’ the Alexander Technique. Saying no certainly isn’t the answer either. It’s a very different process, this Alexander Technique business!
Thank you so much for this great article! I couldn’t agree more!
Especially, someone finally saying that a even a slump might not be wrong – so refreshing!
I took the liberty to cite your article in my own Alexander-Techniqe blog. Check it out at https://blog.andreasdirscherl.de/about-perfection-and-doing-it-right
Thank you, Andreas!
I have constant lower back pain. Pilates helps, strengthens the core.
Do I tuck my pelvis in?
There are no instructors in charlotte.
I have one book from the library, do I continue with the physical therapy?
Help, I’m 54 and in good shape!
Hi Amy,
Sorry about your constant pain. Have you had it checked out by a doctor? That would be the first step. Pilates and other forms of exercise can be good, generally. If you have pain due to mis-using your body, Pilates can make it worse. If there are no Alexander Technique teachers in your area, feel free to contact me to do some Skype lessons. Back Trouble, by Debbie Caplan is a good book. I have about 50 posts here on this site that may help. The chances are that the Alexander Technique will be just what the doctor ordered.