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Inhibition: Not Doing and the The questions outlined earlier that Alexander students often ask are all concerned with doing. This is expected because when you take lessons you expect to learn something to do. But the Alexander Technique is actually concerned with not doing things, or in Alexander terms, inhibition. In fact, Alexander lessons are probably the only lessons you will ever take where you will learn not to do something. As you succeed in reducing tension in your neck, just think how much less work you will have to do for the rest of your life! Inhibition is really the most important idea of the Alexander Technique and it points to the key role of the student. The purpose of the chair and the activity of using it is to elicit habits of shortening and narrowing. Your role is to inhibit shortening and narrowing while the instructor guides your movement. The chair is a model for activity. It cannot be emphasized enough that you do not take Alexander lessons in order to learn how to sit in a chair or do anything. You take Alexander lessons to learn how to avoid habits that cause your body to shorten and narrow. So during the lesson, do not concern yourself with movement or doing things correctly, but only with inhibiting the constriction of the body. Therefore, staying back does not involve doing something. Staying back is inhibiting rushing forward. Between Lessons There are no exercises in the Alexander Technique as the emphasis on doing would ultimately encourage you to tighten your neck. Instead, students of the Alexander Technique lie down for 15 to 20 minutes per day in the manner described in the illustration on the following page. Do not become completely passive when lying down. Instead, use the surface you are lying on as a support as you notice tension and allow your back to lengthen and widen. Frequently Asked Questions How many lessons do I need? Even one lesson can be helpful, but it will take 10-30 private lessons to gain a basic understanding of the Alexander Technique. Where do I put my head? This is a difficult question. Since your head constantly moves on top of your spine, there is no right place for your head. Do not try to put your head in a right place, this will cause a stiff neck. For most people, the problem is that the head and neck have a relatively fixed relationship. The answer is not to find a new fixed place for the head, but to allow the head to be free on top of the neck. Why do I feel like I am looking down? If your head is generally pulled down and back, your eyes are accustomed to resting at the lower range of their movement. As your neck frees and your head comes forward and up, this resting position of your eyes will cause you to look down. Without tightening your neck, gently let your eyes roll upward so that you are no longer looking at the ground. Why does it feel unnatural? Our internal senses often do not tell us what is right and wrong, only what is normal and what is different. Since you normally use your body in one way, a change for the better can be perceived as different, weird, unusual or wrong. How do I do it myself? The Alexander Technique is a tool for recognizing and preventing habits of excess tension. It is a personal investigation, not a way to touch the floor or get out of chairs. Since your body constantly changes--as does the changing world around you--seeking and preventing habits can be a life pursuit that you can choose to engage in at any time, even now. Page 4 of 5 www.freeyourneck.com
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