Where do my legs begin?
As some of my students know, I took a workshop this summer on How to Walk in High Heels with Alexandrian poise! I would have had precisely zero interest in such a thing — I hate high heels — until a … Continue reading →
Ride the breath wave
Extending your exhale is one of the best ways I know to calm a buzzy brain and get peaceful energy flowing through a jangly or stuck-feeling nervous system. This is my favorite exhale journey right now, described below and narrated … Continue reading →
Hey, big spender
I must confess, I tend to be a bit willfully disobedient during yoga classes when I’m instructed to take a deep breath, or to inhale on command. I love yoga and thoroughly enjoy the flow of movement through postures, but … Continue reading →
Me and my muscular habits
Sometimes I’ll hear this from a student: “Darn, I was frustrated to realize that I’ve been tightening my neck (butt, jaw, toes, etc) AGAIN!!” I’m always quick to point out that noticing a habit is a sign of greatly increased awareness … Continue reading →
Seeking
SEEKING, one of the “blue ribbon emotions” is “the basic impulse to search, investigate, and make sense of the environment”. Seeking is a combination of emotions people usually think of as being different: wanting something really good, looking forward to getting something … Continue reading →
Where intention goes, energy flows
Descriptions of Alexander Technique can often include the dreaded p-word (Posture!), which can bring up a maelstrom of ‘shoulds’ and ‘shouldn’ts’ for many of us. But what is posture really? A few weeks ago I listened to ‘On Being’ host … Continue reading →
A literal change of perspective
In an old album I find a picture of my college-aged self, long hair, giant ’70s glasses and all. I’m playing my French horn, staring laser-eyed at the music on the stand as if trying to burn a hole through … Continue reading →
The ‘golden nugget’ of a new idea
Blogs can be powerful things, if they get you to think a new thought, or to come at a familiar situation from a fresh angle. If I read even one tiny thing in a blog or essay that gives me … Continue reading →
Stress? Take it lying down!
Visit the website of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Techique in the UK and you will see this splendid advice: “During Alexander Awareness Week (9 – 15 October) the Society and 3,000 teachers worldwide will be encouraging everyone … Continue reading →
Get Ready, Get Curious…Engage!
While dining with my niece and her family a few weeks ago, I watched my great-niece eat a noodle. She observed it, felt it, tasted it. She painted some on her bib and in her hair. As we chatted, she sang … Continue reading →