1. Become aware, and then let go of the muscles in the back of your neck. 2. Think of your head moving up. (The crown of your head) 3. Slightly, slowly lower your nose. 4. Continue 1,2,3, and let your sit bones release down in your chair, but your torso moves up. 5. If you're standing, let your feet release down while the rest of you moves up. 6. Let your jaw dangle open, even when you're lips are closed. (Give it a try)...
Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual. When learning the Alexander Technique we commonly hear about control. F. M. Alexander, the developer of the Alexander Technique, wrote about Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual. He stressed the importance of primary control (the head, neck, back relationship.) He spoke of conscious guidance and control. Yet at one [...]
The stresses and strains of modern living, combined with the ubiquity of the computer, cell phone, blackberry etc., seem to draw us in, collapsing us forward and down and giving us one version of bad posture. (Another version of bad posture would be sitting up rigidly straight. That doesn't work because it won't be maintained, and it's not helpful to add extra tension. Sitting or standing up straight usually means military posture.) So as not to smash our faces into the screen, desk, or floor...
I was happy to be asked by New York Magazine to write a few sentences about the Alexander Technique. The Alexander Technique was to be included as one of the steps in an article entitled: '50 Steps To Simple Happiness.' New York Magazine wanted me to give a few instructions about the Alexander Technique, and when to 'do' the Alexander Technique. Yikes... When to do the Alexander Technique? When not to do the Alexander Technique would save space! The Alexander Technique isn't something you do at certain times, say from 7 to 8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Alexander Technique is more like...
