May 8, 2012

New Neck Pain Study in UK

Person rubbing their neckThe prospect of a new large-scale study of the Alexander Technique makes my mouth water with anticipation. The new study, run by the University of York (UK) will investigate the outcomes of patients with chronic neck pain who receive one of the following: 20 Alexander Technique lessons and GP care; 12 acupuncture sessions and GP care; GP care alone.

In February I wrote about Dr. Kieran Tobin’s experiences with chronic neck pain, as he described them in an introduction to Alexander Technique teacher Richard Brennan’s new book:

Physiotherapy and medication gave only short-term improvement. On being introduced to the Alexander Technique, I was somewhat sceptical that anything was going to work, but can only describe the relief gained, and maintained, as quite incredible.

[My] general posture has improved, and neck mobility has returned to that last experienced more than 20 years ago. What more could one ask for?

Leave a Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique, Pain

Tagged as ,

April 26, 2012

Cultivating Optimal Conditions

Preparing recently to work with young actors, I reread an article from the STAT website, “Moving into performance: Using the principles of the Alexander Technique to underpin and enhance an actor’s training,” by Niamh Dowling. A concept from the article that I am still unraveling is that as performers we aim to create optimal conditions in ourselves. When we use ourselves well, we are free to make choices about our performance and enjoy a wide range of expressive options.

What conditions are we cultivating in ourselves on a daily basis? What habits and patterns of response are we setting up? It comes as no surprise that our conditions and habits follow us on to the stage whether we invite them or not. Knowing that, we improve the use of our selves in order to improve our performance.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique, Performance Quality

Tagged as , , ,

April 5, 2012

Guiding Orders

Alexander described a series of guiding orders with the intention that we think them “all together, one after the other.” (Use of the Self, p. 42) I list them here as a resource for students:

Think “no…”

To let the neck be free

To let the head go forward and up

To let the torso lengthen and widen

To let the knees go forward and away

To let the heels drop.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique

Tagged as , , , ,

March 23, 2012

Benefits of Alexander Technique Lessons

The other day a new descriptive article on the Alexander Technique appeared in the British website easier.com. As so often happens, it initially describes the Technique as postural training, which is untrue. Improved posture is a happy byproduct of taking Alexander Technique lessons, not a goal in itself.

I find that trying to define the Alexander Technique to those who have never taken lessons is not very helpful. Instead, I try to describe the benefits of taking lessons, like reduced pain, feeling more at ease, feeling lighter, improved performance, less stress, less stage fright, etc. To quote the article:

People who suffer with chronic back pain and have tried other therapies often wish they had come to the Alexander Technique earlier as it offered them the best long-term solution.

The Alexander Technique can be used in everyday life, improving performance in many professions including sport, music and acting. It is useful during pregnancy where it helps relieve complaints such as back ache and tiredness.

It can also be very effective in reducing the symptoms of computer-related work, including RSI, and has helped people who are living with MS (multiple sclerosis) and ME (myalgic encephalopathy).

1 Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique

Tagged as , , , , , ,

March 20, 2012

Predicting the Future

Magic Eight BallI’m not obsessed with the Magic Eight Ball app on my phone. I swear. But in the past couple of weeks, when faced with important and difficult decisions I’ve turned right to the Magic Eight Ball app, asked my question, given the phone a shake and taken solace in the short, straightforward answers.

It’s so much easier to trust something outside ourselves. Or maybe there’s a childlike comfort in turning over the decision-making process to an outside force, even if the best advice that force can offer is, “Cannot predict now.” Oh goody! Now I get to shake the phone again later.

Why do I want answers and predictions so badly? The Magic Eight Ball is just an idle amusement, but perhaps the fun masks a deeper need to know what’s going to happen next and to do something about it. Ladies and gentlemen, once again: our good friend Endgaining.

What if we didn’t need to know what’s coming up next? What if we could go into the unknown without “getting set” or relying on habitual responses?

Leave a Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique

Tagged as , ,

March 12, 2012

Of Royal Descent

With my student’s kind permission, I’m writing to share the joke she made during a lesson last week.

“You Alexander Technique people. You are the queens [and kings] of ‘no.’ You are ‘no’-bility.”

Crown

Leave a Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique

Tagged as

February 29, 2012

Squat Already

A giggly thank you to Alexander Technique teacher Lauri Elizabeth for sharing this Cracked.com article, which made me laugh out loud. Several times.

Go for the Gold

It covers everything from defecation to proper care of your horny layer (didn’t know you had a horny layer? You’re in for a treat!), and we Alexander Technique folks couldn’t agree more when the authors say, “Squatting should be given some sort of medal.”

Act Like a Kid

Child SquattingSquatting – and by this I mean the poised, easy position of mechanical advantage, not the strange ducking-down activity you see people doing at the gym – serves us well in so many situations. The next time you’re around a small child, watch as he or she squats down to pick up a toy and see how the spine stays long and the activity is graceful and effortless. Yes, grown-ups are built differently than children, but there is no reason that adults, too, can’t make use of squat in their everyday life as an efficient means of going down toward the floor and coming back up again.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Alexander Technique

Tagged as , ,