What isn’t the Alexander Technique?
Here’s some of what the Alexander Technique isn’t: It isn’t yoga, Pilates, Reiki, or chiropractic. It’s not physical therapy or acupuncture, and it’s not Feldenkrais. It’s not religion, meditation, or a spiritual practice. It’s not football, ballet, bowling, or sewing, though you employ the Alexander Technique while doing those things. It is a mind/body technique, but not a form of analysis, or an exercise program. You use the Alexander Technique while you’re doing anything. Or nothing at all.
It’s hard to define; easy to demonstrate. The Alexander Technique is what it isn’t.
It’s more about becoming less short than making yourself taller, although you become taller.
It is more about non-doing than doing.
F.M. Alexander, the originator of the Alexander Technique, said: “Stop doing the wrong things, and the right things do themselves.”
The Alexander Technique and Subtraction
The Alexander Technique is more about reducing than increasing, more about subtraction than addition. It is a set of skills, and a strategy, for reducing or eliminating stress, strain, compression, pain, tension, pressure, worry, rigidity, anxiety, and smallness of mind and body. It has profound and positive emotional, psychological, and physical effects.
It is taught in as many ways as there are teachers, and while Alexander Technique teachers may not fully agree on what it is, we agree on what it’s not.
The Alexander Technique is nothing special; we did it when were when we were young. It is a natural way to live, move, and be, though not necessarily the normal way.
The Alexander Technique is no thing, and every thing.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Image Courtesy of Sira Anamwong/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Thank you, Mark I love this blog. I often say Alexander Technique is a process of subtraction, but I really love your last sentence, “The Alexander Technique is no thing, and every thing.” 🙂
Thank you Imogen! I’m really glad you liked it!
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Very nicely stated – a light touch for a simple to do yet hard to explain concept.
Thank you, Laura! A light touch combined with simple directions that the Alexander Technique student can use on her own! Alexander teachers too, since we’re all Alexander Technique students.
I really love this piece, so beautifully put. As you say, so hard to define, but so essentially life changing. Thanks for this post.
Thank you Daska.
great definition of the AT. Love it!
I’m quoting you, and linking to your website in my blog: https://www.bodyproject.us/wp/what-is-the-alexander-technique/
Thank you very much, Elyse! Defining the Alexander Technique is tricky, isn’t it? So much easier to talk about the benefits, though they vary so greatly. And, thanks for the link!