Alexander Technique
Robert Rickover writes: There have also been dramatic developments in what might be called “Alexander Technique teaching technology”. This started with Alexander Technique spin-offs such as Body Mapping, Posture Release Imagery and Up With Gravity – all of which are easily accessible to members of the general public and which are to a large extent …
Continue reading “New Developments In The Alexander Technique”
“Pedro de Alcantara, an Alexander Technique teacher in Paris, France, talks with Robert Rickover about his concept, the “Simplified Skeleton”, the basis of what have come to be called “Neutral Directions”.” Pedro: “When most people talk, they move their heads and their necks besides from gesticulating and moving their arms, legs and body. They nod. …
Continue reading “Accomplished Public Speakers Tend To Not Move Their Heads”
Monika Gross tells Robert Rickover: “I wanted to teach people in a way that wouldn’t increase their stress. People have less money and less time (at least in their perception).” “People spend so much time in front of their computers. Wouldn’t it be interesting to devise an intervention that makes them alert while dealing with …
Continue reading “The Advantages of Skype Alexander Technique Lessons”
I was watching this 2013 documentary on former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen. I was struck by his hoarse voice and immediately thought that the guy suffered from unnecessary body tension and this stressed and damaged his vocal chords. Early on in the film, Hank says: “I’m a sloucher.” Pulling down is going to hurt the …
“Daska Hatton, an Alexander Technique teacher and criniosacral therapist in London, England, talks with Robert Rickover about the connections between the Alexander Technique and Craniosascral Therapy.” Robert: “The two processes are complimentary.” “Cranio work is less demanding of a student. You could even fall asleep during a cranio session and it would be OK. You …
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Monroe studying the book “Man’s Supreme Inheritance.” More photos here. Alexander teacher Betsy Polatin writes: I have taught this technique to thousands of students all over the world, and people often ask me, “Should I swim? Or do Pilates? Or yoga?” I answer, “It’s not so much what you do but how you do it.” …
Continue reading “Marilyn Monroe Studied Alexander Technique”
Alexander teacher Dan Cayer tells Robert Rickover: “I developed a repetitive stress injury in my mid twenties. I went from being a healthy young man within a few months to not being able to type at all on my computer because of severe pain. I couldn’t hold a book for a year and a half …
Continue reading “How The Alexander Technique Can Help People With Chronic Pain”
I have many strong opinions, but I try to go through vast swathes of my life without any conscious beliefs. According to F.M. Alexander, all beliefs are unnecessary muscle tension. That idea does not have to be 100% true to be interesting and useful. Think about how many strong beliefs you have when you are …
I was about nine months into my Alexander Technique teacher training when my girlfriend of the time noticed that when I walked, I tend to be ball up my hands in fists. Many nervous people have tics. They squint, furrow their brows, scratch their face, play with their hair, anything to distract themselves from the …
Continue reading “When Your House Is On Fire, Don’t Expect To Be Subtle”
Here are the traits of mindfulness: “Acting with awareness, being nonjudgmental, having emotional equilibrium (“nonreactivity”), labeling and describing with words the internal world, and self-observation… Mindfulness meditation promotes our nine middle prefrontal functions: bodily regulation, attunement, emotional balance, fear modulation, flexibility of response, insight, empathy, morality and intuition.” I suspect Alexander Technique, a form of …
Continue reading “Does Alexander Technique Promote Secure Attachment?”