Blog of the Week: Posture Check-List for Using Your Devices

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Originally posted by Lindsay Newitter on May 13, 2013 at posturepolice.blogspot.com

Alexander Technique teacher Lindsay Newitter TextingNew and varied technology is being developed so quickly, that these rectangle screens on which we view content, make content, send emails and messages, and place phone calls are generally being referred to as “devices”.  A nice blanket word for a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or tablet that morphs into a laptop, and vice-verse.

If we thought that we were developing back, neck and shoulder pain sitting at a desk in front of a computer, we now don’t even get a rest from our technology-induced postures when we are on the go.  The good news is that using a device does not have to be synonymous with strain.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when using your devices:

  1. Move down, don’t drop down – Typing on a smartphone or tablet usually involves holding it far than your eyes and looking down at it.  What causes strain is when you collapse down toward the thing that you are looking at.  Resist the urge to push your chin forward and sink down into your chest.  Instead of collapsing down, move down.  Start by looking at your device by first only moving your eyes, then let your head tilt by moving your brow first, not your chin.

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Blog of the Week: Taking Mr. Alexander for a Drive

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Originally posted by by Robert Rickover on May 9, 2013 at www.BodyLearningBlog.com.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-carefull-driver-image2943208The late Alexander Technique teacher Marjorie Barstow had a special interest in the way automobile drivers carried their heads on top of their spines.  She would frequently suggest we take time to look at other drivers while we were stopped at a traffic light. “You’ll be amazed at what people do to themselves in a car” she would say. And whenever I’d drive her somewhere – often to her favorite steakhouse – she would comment on the bizarre postures she observed in the cars we passed.

It’s actually a pretty interesting exercise.  And a useful one particularly if you ask yourself: “Could I be doing that too?”

Some of us spend a lot of time driving and there are all sorts of opportunities to tighten our necks, restrict our beathing and clench the steering wheel in response to traffic conditions, other drivers’ bad behavior, the weather, the news on the radio…the list goes on and on.  And of course as texting and talking on cellphones while driving becomes more common, the opportunities for distorting ourselves have expanded significantly.

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Blog of the Week: Alexander Technique 13 Steps for Self-Help

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Originally posted by Jennifer Roig-Francoli on May 1, 2013 at balanceandharmonyat.blogspot.com

Some reminders for myself and other Alexander Technique students:

1. I ask, “Where am I?” and realize that this is a simple question, referring to here in space, right now.  I know where up is (where is the sky?), and where down is (where is the earth?), as well as forward, backward, and all other vectors in relation to this human being that I am.

2. I recognize the force of habit.  Yes, I am exerting more effort than is necessary for the simple task of being here, doing nothing.

3. Right now, I choose to STOP making the usual excess effort to be here now.  I am making the firm decision, right now, to STOP doing what is unnecessary, what is unhelpful and inappropriate in this moment.

4. I give myself time to continue stopping, inhibiting my unhelpful, habitual reactions.

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Blog of the Week: Some Helpful Words About Finding Your Creative Voice

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Originally posted by Bill Plake on April 24, 2013 at billplakemusic.org.

“Listen very deeply to the music that touches your heart the most, analyze it and learn all you can about it. Then forget everything and be yourself.”

-Paul Livingstone

This simple bit of advice rings so true to me, both as performing artist and as teacher. It is a direct quote from one of my Alexander Technique students. Paul is an amazing musician. He is a highly accomplished sitarist, touring regularly throughout the world, most recently finishing up a two-month performance stint in India.

A true scholar of Indian classical music, he also teaches, composes, and passionately and generously shares his knowledge and his love of music. During his lessons with me, we go very deeply into how our thinking, movement, intentions, emotions (and even our spiritual beliefs) interact to inform our music making process.

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Blog of the Week: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

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Originally posted by Karen Evans on April 18, 2013 at AshbyAlexanderTechnique.Worpress.com/Blog

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about being comfortable.  ‘Better the Devil You Know’ talked about how easy it is to confuse comfortable with familiar, and how ‘comfortable’ is actually quite a complex idea.  I got some great feedback pointing out that it is even more complex than that!

So, here are two more complexities for you to think about, with thanks to Imogen and Sonia:-

1.  Is there genuinely a state of more comfortable?  Yes.  Of course.  You can become wonderfully balanced, free and flexible in your movements.  You can get rid of pain, stiffness, awkwardness and restriction.

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Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blog of the Week: Imagery and Analogy in Teaching the Alexander Technique

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Originally posted by on Wednesday, 3 April 2013 at self-kindness.blogspot.co.uk

Champagne BubblesI asked one of today’s students if the use of analogy and imagery was actually ok for her. (We have been using them for several lessons.) She said they were fine and very helpful – I said I felt directions like ‘lengthen your spine’ or ‘widen your shoulders’ (or even ‘allow your shoulders to widen’) often brought about ‘doing’ in students. She agreed and said, “I think they work especially well as when I direct with words I am not sure that I am doing what I think I am doing, but with images, that confusion seems to happen less.” Wonderful! I asked if I might use this in this blog and she agreed.

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Blog of the Week: How the Alexander Technique Saved My Life

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Originally posted by on March 12, 2013 at www.daskahatton.co.uk

I didn’t come to the technique through any particular aches and pains, but rather because I was losing the plot completely. I was in my mid 30’s happily married and with 2 young children when I found myself struggling to get up in the mornings after being unable to sleep. I spent my nights in despair wondering around the house worrying despite having taken 2 sleeping pills. I had no idea what was the matter with me and so began the journey that I am still on today.

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