Article sent by a savvy student: Walking backwards has a surprising number of health benefits. 

Oh yes, I heartily agree! And the article doesn’t even talk about certain Alexandrian aspects!

Another of my savvy students found walking backwards especially revelatory. She struggled for years with knee pain following a difficult series of surgeries and walking really hurt. Early on in Alexander lessons we had her walk backward with Sparky intentions…

No knee pain!

Why? 

Walking backwards is completely non-habitual and can surprise the nervous system out of its accustomed pathways. That includes the ones that trigger the maladaptive discombobulations that lead to pain.

Hooray for new pathways, the essence of neuroplasticity, good for everyone!

Join me in a gentle backward walk, for the benefits we might accrue…

I’ll talk you through it in this audio guide.

Here’s a written guide:

Of course we start by stopping.

I stop and allow myself to acknowledge the ground, gravity and space surrounding me.
Give time ~

Allowing gravity to flow me groundward, I can buoy up from under my feet, toward my crown and the sky.
Hello, central axis!

From two feet I orient crown-ward and float my head-neck-torso over onto my right foot, to balance over top of foot, top of shin, top of leg… my head over fountain spine…

Another step, as if a gentle wind from the front delivers me into my huge back sail…

Boy is my whole system attentive NOW!

Ok, how does this apply to walking forward…

Gather your data!