Tip 56 – Think Up When Bending Down

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For easier bending, think that your torso is going up when you are bending down.

Leland Vall Alexander Technique Tip 56

Enough dressage, now for something more practical.

Up seems pretty obvious when you are standing at your full height, but up is also right in front of you when you bend down. In order to feel lighter when you bend, think that you are going up even when you are bending down. In fact, unless you are falling, you are holding yourself up even when you bend down.

A little more up.

Video: Think Up When Bending Down

Your Body Is a Spring, my favorite tip.

Your Body As a Wave

Bending Forward While Sitting

Video & Article: Three Tips for Bending

And something for feeling taller.

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By |2014-08-02T18:51:02-04:00April 16th, 2011|Alexander Technique Theory, Bending, Weekly Tips|3 Comments

Tip 54 – Be Like Walter Payton

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The internal dynamics of Walter Payton

Walter Payton offers another example of excellent use. But again, I’m not talking about position.  Instead, look for the dynamic oppositional relationships as indicated by the arrows.  Even in this very challenging situation: head forward, torso back, leg forward.  It is these oppositional relationships that provide internal room for movement and power.

More on Dynamic Oppositional Relationships:

Dynamic Opposition and Your Body

Think of Your Body as a Wave

Video: Good Posture Is Like a Wave

Stability and Posture

Exercise: Lean Against a Wall

Bending, Leave Your Hips behind Your Legs

Finding Your Hip Joints

Video and Article: Isaiah Mustafa, the Old Spice Guy

Be Like Roger Federer

Be Like Katharine Hepburn

Extra

NPR Story – Alexander Technique: A Balm for Back Pain?

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Tip 49 – Point Your Spine when Bending Forward

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Bending forward? Point your spine instead of pulling it down.

Leland Vall Alexander Technique Tip 49

Still even more sitting (and bending) in chairs. For reaching, point your spine and bend at the hip. Your back will grow stronger over time and you will have more room for breathing. Bending at the waist pulls your spine down, restricts breathing, and shortens your reach. Visit the resources below for more on your pointing spine.
More resources for comfortable sitting:

Seated Bending, Use Your Hip Joints

Point Your Spine As if You Are Pointing Your Finger

Lie Down to Find Your Pointing Spine

Finding Your Hip Joints

The Chair Is Incidental

Video: The Chair Is Incidental

Video: Improve Computer Posture

Improve Computer Posture

How to Lean Back in a Chair

Seated Bending? Use Your Hip Joints

Video: How to Lean Back in a Chair

Video: Think of the Chair as Your Legs

Seated Bending, Lead with Your Head

Reaching While Sitting

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By |2019-01-16T15:33:44-05:00March 2nd, 2011|Breathing, Comfortable Sitting, Weekly Tips|3 Comments

Tip 48 – Seated Bending, Lead with Your Head

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Seated bending? Lead with the crown of your head.

Leland Vall Alexander Technique Tip 48

For reaching while sitting (and not sitting), lead with the crown of your head, not your chin. It’s more comfortable, reduces neck tension, and you will be able to reach farther.

More resources for comfortable sitting:

The Chair Is Incidental

Video: The Chair Is Incidental

Video: Improve Computer Posture

Improve Computer Posture

How to Lean Back in a Chair

Seated Bending? Use Your Hip Joints

Video: How to Lean Back in a Chair

Video: Think of the Chair as Your Legs

Point Your Spine when Bending Forward

Seated Bending, Use Your Hip Joints

Reaching While Sitting

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There are more resources available at www.freeyourneck.com. Please write your requests in the comment section.

By |2019-01-16T16:07:59-05:00February 26th, 2011|Bending, Comfortable Sitting, Head/Neck, Weekly Tips|7 Comments

Tip 47 – Seated Bending, Use Your Hip Joints

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Bending forward? Use your hip joints.

Leland Vall Alexander Technique Tip 47

More sitting in chairs to follow up on Tip 46. For reaching, use your hip joints instead of bending at the waist. It’s more comfortable (there is no “waist joint”), and you will be able to reach farther.

More resources for comfortable sitting:

Finding Your Hip Joints

The Chair Is Your Legs

The Chair Is Incidental

Video: The Chair Is Incidental

Improve Computer Posture

Video: Improve Computer Posture

How to Lean Back in a Chair

Video: How to Lean Back in a Chair

Video: Think of the Chair as Your Legs

Point Your Spine when Bending Forward

Seated Bending, Lead with Your Head

Reaching While Sitting

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There are more resources available at www.freeyourneck.com. Please write your requests in the comment section.

By |2019-01-16T16:10:06-05:00February 19th, 2011|Comfortable Sitting, Weekly Tips|2 Comments

Tip 39 – Reaching while Sitting

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At your desk, reach with your arms, not your back.

Leland Vall Alexander Technique Tip 39

Following up on the previous Tip, your arms are the same sitting or standing.

More about Arms and the Back

Your Arms Are Emissaries of Your Back

Arms and Standing on the Subway

Be Like Roger Federer (That arm is sent from the fingertips, up to the shoulder!)

Avoid Pulling on the Steering Wheel

Your Torso Stays Behind Your Head

Reach with Your Arms

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By |2014-08-16T15:30:24-04:00December 25th, 2010|Arms, Comfortable Sitting, Weekly Tips|3 Comments