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 …
Author Archives: admin
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. …
Sitting In A Chair Is One Of The Worst Things You Can Do For Your Back
“Loren Shlaes, an Alexander Technique teacher and Occupational Therapist in New York City talks with Robert Rickover about ways that parents can help their children develop good posture.” Loren: “When you’re carried in a car seat, you’re moving in one plane. When you’re carried on your mother’s hip, every time your mother turns, you turn. …
Continue reading “Sitting In A Chair Is One Of The Worst Things You Can Do For Your Back”
Does Your Home Health Aide Have Violent Hands?
“Loren Shlaes, an Alexander Technique teacher and Occupational Therapist in New York City talks [to Robert Rickover] about ways the Alexander Technique can help Occupational Therapists.” Loren: “An occupational therapist looks at who you are, what your life is, and all the things you have to do to fulfill all of your roles and responsibilities. …
Continue reading “Does Your Home Health Aide Have Violent Hands?”
The Effect Of Thinking On The Body
As I move around in the world, I see people talking on their cell phones. At least one half of the conversation I do not hear, but I often see the effect of what is said on the person in my vision. Many times, things get heated, and I see people contract, tense up and …
Alexander & Mindfulness
“Amy Ward Brimmer, an Alexander Technique teacher in New Town and Philadelphia, Pennsyvania again talks with Robert Rickover about her experiences with negative directions and about their usefulness for teachers and students.” Amy talks about a mindfulness course she took recently. “The teacher, in preparation for meditation, was asking folks to sit with their spines …
Listen to the whispers, so you don’t have to hear the screams
Sarah Chatwin blogs: “…I would have been far better off paying attention to the fuzzy feeling of illness when it first wrapped it’s tentacles around me, instead of soldiering on and achieving nothing except making my own life a little more difficult. But isn’t this typical of what most of us do, especially when our …
Continue reading “Listen to the whispers, so you don’t have to hear the screams”
F.M. Alexander Would’ve Fit In With Downton Abbey
According to Wikipedia: “Alexander arrived London in June 1904, and quickly acquired a fine wardrobe, a manservant, and a smart address at the Army & Navy Mansions in Victoria Street. As he later said “In those days, you just couldn’t get on here [London] unless you appeared to be the right sort.”” Even though he …
Continue reading “F.M. Alexander Would’ve Fit In With Downton Abbey”
How Alexander Technique Can Help Your Running
Author Malcolm Balk tells Robert Rickover: “The energy in the body follows your thought. When you have the thought of going up towards the head, they become live weight. They’re not dead weight. It’s the difference between carrying a kid who’s asleep and the same kid who wants to jump up and snuggle. The weight …
Continue reading “How Alexander Technique Can Help Your Running”