Alexander Technique
I have the worst confession for an Alexander Technique teacher — there have been many days over the past few weeks where I’ve had no will to go up (meaning to give myself the upward thinking direction that allows for freer movement). I’ve just been hunkering down. I say to myself, I should think up, …
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I just had a conversation on Facebook with an opera singer who regarded the Alexander Technique as a cult. Emma Stace Darling luke. i went to an alexander person once….they said relax and i did. they said. my god i have never known anyone who can turn on and off that quickly and completely.19 minutes …
I often hear sportscasters talk about some athlete having his game face on. It means a look of concentration. What does concentration look like? To most people, it means a degree of extra tension in the face. If your face is not free to react freely to the moment, then your options have narrowed, your …
In the last three years, I’ve noticed that one topic has led to the most heated exchanges in the Alexander Technique world I know — teaching via Skype. That I thought this was OK was a major factor in the loss of several of my relationships with other Alexander teachers. Bringing up this topic might …
Veteran teacher Robert Rickover tells fellow teacher Mark Josefberg: “The Alexander Technique is simple but not necessarily easy. There are some classic traps some students encounter.” “The most classic trap is to try to recreate [the great feelings you get during a lesson]. The teacher helps you. You have this feeling of lightness. You try …
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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 …
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“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 …
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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 …
Continue reading “Craniosacral Therapy & The Alexander Technique”