Comments

Thanks for this AT series, Buri! I've been following with interest... (Despite an intended joke or two which I hope were understood that way). Since you raise the subject of the all-timeliness of AT, I have a question (same question I had for a yoga instructor I really respected, but was too stupid or something to actually ask!) So, imagine you're falling asleep [yawn]-- does AT or primary control have advice or relevance for your "pose" or posture then? Different mornings can feel very different, for no reason of daily activities that I can figure, and then I wonder what I did during the night! Greetings,
yes, you cna work on your prmary control while in bed prior to sleep. The procedure is the same as any other actviity. AT simply puts the body in the most efficient state of use for whatever you are doing. However, you cannot practice it at night in the literal sense because you relinquish contorl to the unconscious. It would be a fairly helathy thing to end the day on.
My own preference is for simple breathing exercises - just pay attention to a small triangular area below the nose as the breathe goes in and out. Be aware of the feleing of the bretah on that spot. One doews not adjust the breathing in anyway.
Cheers,
Buri HI,
I've been a teacher of the Alexander Technique for around 15 years and practised it for my own benefit for 34 years. Explaining the technique has always been a challenge as it can mean different things and bring different benefits to everyone.
Simply put, AT is a practical method of eliminating harmful posture, such as stooping, slouching, stiffening and other habits and improving our balance and co-ordination in everyday activities. We revive the natural poise that we enjoyed as young children....free of habit, loose, tall and in balance. We all have an inbuilt instinct for healthy poise, and this is what we revive. It comes easily, with guidance.

The quality of freedom and better co-ordination helps us perform better at any activity, unencumbered by habits that can undermine us. Movement becomes effortless, we become freer, taller and calmer. We also become more sensitive and aware of the habits and how to deal with them. These are qualities that performers appreciate.

The Primary Control that Buri referred to is the maintaining of a good head/neck/back relationship. The alignment of which is not 'held' but maintained by thinking 'directions' which are mental instructions that bring about a light and expansive quality in our whole body. We learn to think ourselves free, to lengthen and widen in stature. Our arms become freer, as do our legs and most importantly our necks.

There are no exercises as such, but one or two proceedures like lying down (semi-supine)on a floor for ten minutes with knees bent to help the back release and lengthen, and also to do 'monkey position' as a means of bending efficiently and in balance without strain.
The Alexander Technique is something that we can use all day, to help us be free, in balance and well co-ordinated. The improved self-awareness and ability to release our own unnecessary tensions help us make the most of ourselves in any situation, from playing an instrument, competitive sport, acting, dance, Yoga, business presentations to coping with pregnancy.
AT is not a treatment. People have lessons to learn to use it for themselves for their own benefit.
it's best to have a one-off demonstration by a qualified teacher so you can experience how it feels and discover what the potential may be for you. It is usually taught on a one-to-one basis as we are all different, with differing needs and habits. We then get individual hands-on guidance so we can experience moving, standing, sitting with less effort and in balance.

I hope this helps, and if you have any questions I shall be happy to answer them as best I can. You can see more about this on my website www.alexander-technique.com

Thanks,
Noel