When I teach my new students to free their necks, they always try to do something and end up with a sore neck. What the heck does it mean to free the neck? It means to release the neck from needless holding and tension. What does that mean? Well, you know what the opposite feels …
Monthly Archives: November 2016
How The Alexander Technique Can Enhance Psycho-Therapy
Juliet Carter is a psycho-therapist and Alexander teacher in London. Britain has several psycho-therapists who are also Alexander teachers. I don’t know of any such combo in the States. The Alexander Technique is better known in Britain and in Israel than it is in the United States (though it has become better known here over …
Continue reading “How The Alexander Technique Can Enhance Psycho-Therapy”
How the Alexander Technique can help Children with Developmental Issues
Mike Cross is an Alexander teacher in England. He writes: The essentials of Alexander work are the same for children and adults alike: – learning to say “No” – consciously sending messages from the brain to parts of the body – going into movement. FM Alexander was born in 1869; he was born two months …
Continue reading “How the Alexander Technique can help Children with Developmental Issues”
Alexander Technique And Beauty
Alexander teachers would benefit from publishing more before and after pictures. I like what Amira Alvarez does here. I was shocked by the before and after picture of Lulie Westfeld in her book on her Alexander journey. These kind of photos are powerful. Most people I know would like to look more attractive and Alexander …
What Happens If You Decide To Not Rush?
I’ve rushed around most of my life trying to get a lot of stuff done. This has not been an efficient way to live. I’ve often had to repeat my shoddy work and often felt like a chicken running around with his head cut off. I had bosses who complained that I would get tunnel …
Peyton Manning Needs Alexander Technique
Most people when they stand with their feet together will lean back and compress their lower back. That’s going to cause them back pain and possible injury. Look at Peyton Manning here. Notice how leaning back and compressing, he’s given himself a paunchy stomach. Not attractive! Be hot! Don’t be a shmo. Use Alexander Technique. …
David Gorman’s Learning Methods
DirectionJournal.com hosts an excellent interview with David Gorman. Robert Rickover recorded this interview. I spoke to David for almost two hours this morning via Skype. Here are some highlights: David: “F.M. Alexander had problems. When he was a kid, he had problems with breathing. Then he had problems with his voice. He tended to have …
The Secret To The Alexander Technique
After an unsuccessful introductory lesson the other day, I spoke to a veteran Alexander teacher. I complained that I was unable to teach “direction.” What the heck is “direction” in the Alexander language? It is messages that you send to yourself to lengthen and widen (which are really just messages to yourself to stop contracting …
The Founders’ Key: The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What We Risk by Losing It
I’m listening to Dennis Prager interview Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College and author of this new book. Coming back from a commercial, Dennis introduces Larry, who makes an audible inhale. Dennis: “I heard you inhale. That means you want to say something.” I’d have to think that when you make a noticeable inhale, that …
The ‘Wit’ Playwright With Beautiful Use
This woman is lovely! I wondered if she had Alexander Technique lessons. Her loose limbs and expressive face go together with the absence of excess tension. It’s hard to do any decent writing when you have a teaching job as this story notes: “Teaching — for Ms. Edson at least — is a full-time occupation. …