These posts refer to my group Alexander Technique class that meets every Thursday at 3:00.

How Long Does it Take?

Last week the question of how long it takes to “get it” came up.  The standard answer seems to be forever, or at least a very long time. I have a different view.  I think the transforming affect of the Alexander Technique is best thought of as instantaneous.

The Problem

The problem comes from the multiple and conflicting definitions of the Alexander Technique.  By my count, the Technique  is at least three conflicting things: a process (a method for evaluating and changing the self), a result (the state of being Alexanderized, of getting it right), and a method for teaching itself (only Alexander lessons look like that).  To my knowledge, no one has have ever successfully defined the Alexander Technique, so it is very difficult to define achievement or even know what to achieve.

The Solution

To solve this problem, I suggest that students of the Technique pick one definition and think of it as a process, a method for evaluating and changing the self.  With that point of view, only an attempt is needed for success every time.  More than that, thinking of the Alexander Technique as a process is really the only useful option, and the only way to move forward.

The Process

The Alexander Technique suggests that although we are subject to habit in movement and action, we can also break habits just by recognizing that and realizing that we can make new decisions and even break habits. If you notice habitual tension (a good thing because you have to identify a habit in order to break it) take that moment and find out if a different choice reduces or gets rid of that tension.   There is no need to get it right, just a desire to recognize what you are doing and a willingness to take a chance on a new decision.  Every new decision has lasting effects, opens new possibilities, and builds the skill of breaking more habits in the future.  Certainly lessons help point the way and speed your journey. But the essence of the Technique is always the same–a desire to observe your self and a willingness to take a chance on new decisions.

See, I bet you feel different already.

By |2011-10-03T22:40:51-04:00April 12th, 2010|Thursday Class|4 Comments

Overthinking and Habit

In her last comment, Ariadne brought up a common concern about Alexander Technique lessons causing over thinking or having to think about every single thing you do,  maybe even every breath.   The Alexander Technique does not encourage that and I don’t suggest trying it.

The Problem

Alexander suggests that we habitually use our bodies in a haphazard way that includes excess tension.  In every action (like bending, singing, running), along with doing that action we also create excess tension that works against the action.  This excess tension is generally intrinsic to everything we do because it is part of the haphazard fabric of how we use the body.

The Solution

In Alexander lessons, you don’t learn how to do things.  Instead, you learn how to stop doing what is unnecessary.  You pay less attention to the doing of the activity, and more attention to what is getting in your way.  Habits can be very tangled, but as you learn, you can begin to pick out the bad and allow the good to take place on its own.  It’s not as hard as it seems because we are made of one cloth and the same habits usually appear in everything we do.  Activities may be different, but the habits that get in our way stay the same.

Don’t Learn to Breathe

Breathing is actually a good place to examine this issue.  Although breathing is both a conscious and unconscious activity, the same habits of excess tension are with it all the time.  In Alexander Technique lessons, you don’t learn how to breath so much as learn how to stop what gets in the way of your breathing so that you free the breath to take place on its own.  Here is a link to an exercise and an mp3.  Improve Your Breathing

Breathing tomorrow.

By |2010-04-19T21:35:22-04:00March 24th, 2010|Thursday Class|13 Comments

Defining the Torso

At the end of today’s class someone asked, “What’s the takeaway?” That’s a problematic question because the kernel isn’t so helpful in practice without the whole.  Actually, I call that the Monopoly Rule: In Alexander and Monopoly, you have to build evenly.

What We Did

Nevertheless, I did try to focus on just defining the torso.  It extends  from the top of the spine, to the bottom of the pelvis, to the ends of the shoulders.  This definition is important because the torso is different from the rest of the body and it has a different job than the head, legs and arms (the appendages).  Mainly, it stays back while everything else goes forward.  The torso is the structural element from which the appendages are expressed.  Clarity of the torso gives the appendages strength.  Structural weakness results when the appendages and torso get tangled together.

What to Do

As I suggested in the beginning, defining the torso is only a piece of the whole, but it’s still important.   You can make progress with this on you own by just enjoying noticing the difference between your torso and the rest of your body as you are going about your day.  You don’t have to take time out.  But if you want, you can spend a dedicated 10 or 15 minutes lying down as you do in class with your head on a book and your knees up.   With your mind’s eye, look for the ends of your torso.

By |2019-01-16T16:42:27-05:00March 18th, 2010|Thursday Class|8 Comments

The Fountain

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In my lessons I often talk about how the body is like a fountain.  A fountain of water looks like a real thing but, at the same time, it has to be renewed every second.  This is like the body where the heartbeat makes life possible every moment. The living body seems like an object, but really it is more like an event or a story unfolding. In this idea, good posture isn’t a stiffness, but something  that is created new and light every moment.  Here is an article with some other alternative posture ideas – Don’t Stand Up Straight.

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By |2015-10-31T12:38:57-04:00March 14th, 2010|Thursday Class, Weekly Tips|6 Comments