In Man’s Supreme Inheritance by F.M.Alexander, (the ‘Alexander’ in the Alexander Technique) writes…”a human being functions as a whole and can only be functionally changed as a whole.” In my Alexander Technique teaching here in NYC this is illuminated countless times a day. Pre Alexander Technique lessons, people often have the mistaken impression that their back pain has nothing to do with their neck, their neck pain has nothing to do with their jaw, their hand pain has nothing to do with their overall tension, and their shallow breathing has nothing to do with their job.  In ‘Preoccupation with the Disconnected John Dewey, (author, educator, philosopher, Alexander Technique devotee)  writes: ”The world seems mad in preoccupation what is specific, particular and disconnected in medicine, politics, science, industry and education”. With the glamorization of  specialization in Western Medicine, the ‘whole’ person is sometimes ignored. 

People commonly come to Alexander Technique lessons because of lower back or neck pain, but the lower back or the neck cannot be treated as if they were separate entities, unrelated to the rest of the person. How you hold your head affects your neck, your shoulders, lower back, the rest of your spine and the rest of you.

For example, as you read this you might become aware that your face is poking towards the screen. Actually it’s your neck jutting out, and down, towards the screen. Your face is just going along for the ride. As the neck pokes out, it’s probably taking the upper back and shoulders with it so that you’re forming a ‘C’ curve.  This may be constricting your entire spine. Since the nerves emanate from the spine, shortening the neck or lower back can affect the limbs and the organs as well. If our neck and shoulders are doing the work of our backs, they’re bound to overwork, or they overwork so they get bound. This is one of countless examples of our seamlessness. We’re all connected.

Mark Josefsberg- Alexander Technique NYC

Mark@MarkJosefsberg.com

Call Mark: 269-POSTURE

or 917.709.4648

Related posts:

1. Alexander Technique-Taking Pressure Off Your Body
2. The Alexander Technique And Computer Injuries
3. Alexander Technique Soft Focus
4. Computer Posture
5. Alexander Technique Therapy