Articles
What do we like about the Alexander Technique?
What do we get out of it? What are the AT goodies? Agency - the Alexander Technique empowers us – we can be in our own ‘driver’s seat’, making conscious choices (in the moment) rather than being run by unconscious habit. This provides all the downstream benefits...
“Primary Control” Part 1
I am putting inverted commas around our concept, because people mean different things by it. E.g. if you had asked me 35 years ago, I may have waffled vaguely about the head and neck. Now I would say more precisely that the ‘PC’ is a relationship between the head,...
Not So Certain – What Can We Learn From Each Other?
Bruce Fertman, charming man and terrific Alexander teacher, has written a piece called ‘Constructive Doubt’. I like what Bruce says, and I wanted to pick up on the word ‘rifts’ as I think this is an important issue in our AT community. Is the word ‘rifts’ helpful?...
Audio Guides
Anyone using these audio guides should benefit, if they take time and a thoughtful approach. For those who are having, or have had lessons in the Alexander Technique, these audio guide may help them to develop the skills to further their quality of inner integration and ease of movement.
Lying down
A daily “un-exercise” – a balanced resting position that helps you unwind and build your skill at maintaining your poise in any situation. Time spent lying in semi-supine is time dedicated to releasing unprofitable holding patterns, and promoting freer, easier...
Breathing
A thorough and thoughtful meditation upon breathing. Use this guide as an alternative to guided lying-down (semi-supine), or anytime at all to work on yourself. You cannot learn the Alexander Technique from audio files! Good teaching plus time are needed...
Sitting
Stay comfortable, stress-free and productive: at your desk, in the car, or in any sitting application. Play this track to help • get comfortable when sitting • avoid neck or back problems • avoid exacerbating existing conditions • stay centred, focussed and...
Mindfulness in Activity
A guide to keeping track of yourself, as you go about your daily activities - mindfulness in activity. Anyone using these audio guides should benefit, if they take time and a thoughtful approach. For those who are having, or have had lessons in the Alexander...
Case Studies
Exercising with Good Form Over 50
I want to talk to you about graceful ageing, and active, healthy living. Applying good form to exercise and sport makes it fun and more enjoyable, and you can keep getting better. The AT helps you to do stuff better. I have been giving Alexander lessons to a man in...
Chronic Back Pain
John G, a senior public servant in his 50’s, had chronic back pain. He had been to his GP, an orthopedic specialist, two physiotherapists and a Chinese-trained doctor. A cat scan had revealed two prolapsed discs. John had been particularly diligent with an...
Chronic Neck Pain and Overuse Syndrome
Forty-six year-old Debra C started Alexander Technique lessons to see if it would help her chronic neck pain. She had bulging discs in her neck, and tenosynovitis extending back over three years. Debra learned to make links between her (controllable) habits of use of...
Tips
Tip: Are You Paying Attention?
Last time we talked about the quality of your attention and asked, “Have you ever noticed the 2 typical modes in the way we use our attention?” In the one mode, discussed last time, we tend to be heavily and exclusively focused on a particular task, often to the...
Tip: Paying Attention
In learning to use yourself better, ie, how to improve postural support, breathing and movement, paying some attention to how you do what you do is inescapable. How to pay attention? How do we remember to remember? The first thing is a decision that it is worthwhile...
Creating Triggers for Good Use of Yourself
A common comment that we hear is about the challenge of “remembering to remember” – renewing one’s attention and attentiveness to oneself. Generally speaking, if we have undertaken to learn the Alexander Technique, ie learn to use ourselves better, with less strain,...
Links
Alexander Technique (www.alexandertechnique.com)
Run out of the USA, this site is a very comprehensive overview of the Alexander Technique, with all sorts of interesting content, including some great podcasts.