How many times have we heard these phrases? "Just think it" is frequently heard during Alexander Technique lessons, and "Just do it" is heard everywhere else. (Thank you Nike.) Both phrases are valuable, or unhelpful, depending upon intent, timing, and intensity. And, what do we mean by "just"? Just do it. "Just " is commonly [...]
Today I worked with an older gentlemen who was extremely responsive. It was his first lesson and to his surprise and delight, he kept "moving up" throughout the entire time. Once, after I removed my hands from his head/neck, he smiled and said "I could stay in this position forever!" That's was my cue to [...]
Can the Alexander Technique and Alexander Technique lessons help us with the stress of the holidays, 2011 style? Absolutely, especially when we remember that the stress isn't the problem. The real problem is how we handle the stress, and the manifestations of the stress. Stress has symptoms. Our body tells us we're stressed because our breathing gets shallow, our hearts race and our muscles contract. We tighten our necks, bringing our head back and down which could be a result of our habitual startle response...
As Alexander Technique teachers and students know, there are no right positions, only right principles. Let's add: There are no right movements, only right principles. Jogging, sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups aren't intrinsically good or bad. It's not the what of what we do, it's the how. The Alexander Technique teaches how to move in an optimal way-whatever we're doing. The benefits derived from proper exercise are well-documented. Just exercise some common sense and apply the principles of the Alexander Technique. Use the Alexander Technique before, during, and after exercising.
