February 2012
Alexander Technique and Back Pain Relief
...the Alexander Method, however, works differently. Though with Alexander Technique lessons back pain relief is sometimes quickly and dramatically gained, Alexander's simple method gets more to the root of the back pain. And the root of the problem, quite often, is us. Back pain (and neck pain) is exacerbated by compressing our spines all day and all night long. We slump at out computers (like now?)...
The Alexander Technique-Subtraction, Not Addition
In an Alexander Technique lesson I taught today, my student began by telling me her neck pain felt a little worse this week. When I inquired about it she told me that the physical therapist she'd been seeing added a new exercise for her neck, and it hurt her. Unfortunately, as an Alexander Technique teacher, I hear this story quite a lot. I told her that in my opinion she needs to subtract some things she's doing rather than adding to it...
Alexander Technique Posture Poem
Each person I'm certain feels pain and is hurtin' as they tense up their necks and have aches in their heads. pain's Driving them crazy their aWareness is hazy, they Seek sweet [...]
The Alexander Technique is just what the doctor (would have) ordered
The Alexander Technique is just what the doctor would order, if he knew about it. What does the doctor order? For back pain or neck pain, the doctor might order X Rays or an MRI, which could be helpful. She might write a prescription for pain medication or muscle relaxers which are sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. He might order physical therapy which can be helpful, or harmful. An orthopedist or neurologist might propose surgery which is sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. She may suggest yoga, pilates, massage, rolfing, and other well-intentioned modalities, which are sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. And, finally, some doctors recommend the Alexander Technique, which is just about never harmful, and often extremely helpful...
Alexander Technique and Two Arrows
Buddhism offers the idea of "two arrows.", which has relevance to Alexander Technique. The first arrow strikes when pain comes upon us; an inevitable occurrence. The second arrow is the mental anguish we experience, or [...]
Alexander Technique Posture
Alexander Technique teachers help you improve your posture, but not your military posture. Alexander Technique good posture feels good; military posture, not so much. Military posture requires a lot. You have to throw your shoulders back, suck your stomach in, stick your chin back, thrust your chest out; stiffen up. That's a lot of throwing, sticking, sucking, thrusting, and stiffening.