The Alexander Technique Posture Fix
“A correct position or posture indicates a fixed position, and a person held to a fixed position cannot grow, as we understand growth. The correct position today cannot be the correct position a week later for any person who is advancing in the work of reeducation and coordination. F.M. Alexander
During Alexander Technique lessons, people frequently sit up straight or move their head around and ask: Is this right?” I answer differently in different situations, but the real answer is yes. And no. When it comes to the Alexander Technique right and wrong, good and bad won’t have the same significance we may be used to. Someone in a slump might not be wrong, especially if they’ve chosen to slump, plus sitting up straight with so called ‘good posture’ might not be any better.
One thing we’re going for in the course of Alexander Technique lessons is improvement. We’re not trying to get to a destination; we’re moving towards…. “Perfection is for heaven”, (as my friend and great Alexander Technique teacher Pearl Ausubel used to say.) Knowing that can really take the pressure off, if you let it. If you don’t have to worry about ‘getting it’, or ‘doing it right’, maybe you could just enjoy the journey. This doesn’t mean that progress is not happening, or you’ll always have that pain, or you’ll always have bad posture. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The Alexander Technique fixes bad posture. The Alexander Technique relieves back pain and neck pain; I’ve seen students get relief and change their posture thousands of times. The British Medical Journal featured the efficacy of the Alexander Technique on it’s front cover in 2008 after an extensive study.
Yet, the Alexander Tech is something no one masters, and that’s part of the beauty of it. You enter from where you are and you move in a certain direction, with certain directions. The Alexander Technique is fluid. The Alexander Technique is not rigid. The Alexander Technique is not a fixed set of exercises for improving posture. It’s not a correct position. It’s made for movement with ease, and stillness with ease. There’s room to grow, there’s always more as you feel better and better as the Alexander Technique improves your posture permanently.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
269-POSTURE
or 917.709.4648
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Great post! I really love the quote of Alexander you’ve put on top of the article. “The correct position today cannot be the correct position a week later.” Or even a moment later, as the situations we are in are constantly changing.
Today many people believe there was a right way of doing things: timemanagement has to be this way, posture has to be that way, a good marriage has do be like this or that blabla and so on. If all this stuff would be working, then nobody would have problems!
But people do have problems!
I truely believe, that there are no “general” answers to what an individual experiences. Because of this, a technique like the Alexander Technique is so important in our world today, as it teaches us to think constructively about ourselves - every moment in a fresh and new way…
Thank you so much for this great article! I couldn’t agree more!
Especially, someone finally saying that a even a slump might not be wrong - so refreshing!
I took the liberty to cite your article in my own Alexander-Techniqe blog. Check it out at http://blog.andreasdirscherl.de/about-perfection-and-doing-it-right
Thanks, Andreas!
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Alexander Technique »
Welcome To Alexander Technique NYC!
Mark Josefsberg~
AmSAT, ACAT Certified Alexander Technique teacher.
Alexander Technique-Improve your posture, stop your lower back pain, upper back pain, neck pain, stress and tension. The Alexander Technique is simple, proven, practical and effective for back posture, neck posture, headaches, breathing problems and more. I’m a full-time Alexander Technique teacher offering Alexander Technique lessons and Alexander Technique classes in New York City, New York.
Alexander Technique Group Classes-
Saturdays 4:30-6:00PM
See GROUP CLASSES page for more info.
Next Alexander Technique private lesson: Anytime you want!
“With good humor, specificity, and charm, Mark makes a challenging technique accessible and fun!” Kyra Sedgwick, Emmy-winning actress. (”The Closer”)
“I really enjoyed our Alexander Technique lessons, learned a lot, felt lighter, more balanced and my neck pain is better. You have a true healing presence and great knowledge and skill.”
-Martin Ehrlich M.D., M.P.H. Medical Director, Beth Israel Continuum Center for Health and Healing.
Find more Alexander Technique NYC endorsements on my TESTIMONIALS page.
To schedule your Alexander Technique lesson, or to find out more about my Alexander teaching:
Call Mark: (917) 709-4648 or
(269) P-O-S-T-U-R-E
Email: Mark@MarkJosefsberg.com
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique Teacher NYC
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Neck Pain »
Alexander Technique Quotes by Medical Doctors
“The Alexander Technique remains the best of the self-care strategies to prevent the sequel of poor posture and poor breathing.”-Harold wise, MD.,PC, New York, NY
“The Alexander Technique stresses unification in an era of greater and greater medical specialization. Its educational system teaches people how to…
Posture »
Alexander Technique Saturdays in NYC
Alexander Technique Saturdays in NYC! In these small, hands-on, experiential Alexander Technique classes you will learn how to improve your posture. We will explore simple everyday acts including sitting, standing and walking. We will look at how to sit at the computer without slumping, or stiffening up…
Stress »
Top 20 Tension Relieving Tips
1. Become aware, and then let go of the muscles in the back of your neck.
2. Think of your head moving up. (The crown of your head)
3. Slightly, slowly lower your nose.
4. Continue 1,2,3, and let your sit bones release down in your chair, but your torso moves up.
5. If you’re standing, let your feet release down while the rest of you moves up.
6. Let your jaw dangle open, even when you’re lips are closed. (Give it a try)…
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What is the Alexander Technique?
Alexander Technique Video
Why Take Alexander Technique lessons?
2. Get lasting relief for your back pain and neck pain. (reported by The British Medical Journal)
3. Reduce your anxiety and stress by releasing excess tension.
4. Carry yourself with confidence, and present yourself with poise and strength.
5. Breathe easier and have a stronger voice.
Why take Alexander Technique lessons?
Because we live in New York!
Mark Josefsberg-AmSAT and ACAT Certified Alexander Technique Teacher
Mark@MarkJosefsberg.com
(269) P-O-S-T-U-R-E or
(917) 709-4648
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