It’s not all good.
Not all changes brought about by the Alexander Technique are good. There are some seldom-talked-about negative outcomes. In the interest of truthiness, I’ve listed a few.
1. If the shoe fits.
If you’re habitually gripping your toes, you’re habitually shortening your feet. As you let go of this extra tension, you’ll need a little more room in your shoes. Hello, shoe store.
2. Lighten up.
As you lighten your body, you lighten your mind. If you’ve been grumpy, people may notice you’re less grumpy, and people don’t like changes.
3. Your sofa sucks.
You may notice your sofa sucks.
4. So does your chair.
You may now know that your $12 wooden chair might be better for your back than your $800 computer chair. Thanks a lot, Alexander Technique.
5. Don’t beam me down.
You might start banging your head on an overhead beam while going down to the basement.
Band-Aids—$3. Construct a taller basement———$16,543.26. Learning how to fold at your joints—-priceless.
6. Base hit.
All you bassists out there, it’s time to adjust your endpin, because you’re more upright than your upright bass; Cello too. All kinds of musical instruments need to be adjusted now, and adjustments are a pain.
7. Speak up.
A singer told me told me that after Alexander lessons, he had to change the EQ (equalization) on his microphone when recording, because his speaking voice and singing voice were both more resonant. It’s a common complaint.
8. Got pain?
You’re going to lose some, and who wants to be a loser?
9. Reverse ergonomics.
The rear and side view mirrors in your car are set for a more collapsed person. The seat too. And the seat belt. If you don’t want to go through the hassle, it’s time for a new car. Thanks again, Alexander Technique.
10. Is it shorter in here?
Chair heights, table heights, computer screen heights, counter heights: everything is different.
11. Inch up.
You may have to lift your hands a bit higher when you brush your teeth, shave, put on makeup, comb your hair, or talk on the phone.
12. Itch up.
When you mindlessly scratch your nose, you may miss and scratch your upper lip. Act like you did it on purpose, wait, and then scratch again.
13. Things are looking down.
You may be taller than someone you’ve been shorter than. Significant others are now significantly shorter.
14. Pill Poppin Problem.
Some people with back pain or neck discomfort take medication. After some Alexander lessons you’ll reduce or eliminate this medication, and the poor people producing and providing pills profits’ plummet.
15. Goodbye.
Goodbyes are hard. Even when you’re saying goodbye to neck tension, shoulder discomfort, and your trusty, old, reliable back pain. It’s like a part of you is leaving forever.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Reverse ergonomics here, more p’s here, sofas here.
Image courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net-Golden Number 15 With Spotlite by Stuart Miles
Thank you! Just reaching higher to wipe my eyes after reading this. I’d add ‘when you are eating’ to number 11.
Thank you, Yvette!
As far as “adding eating…” I’m always eating.
Along with buying new shoes, probably you’ll need new pants, suits and/or dresses, because the old ones are now too short in the sleeves and leg lengths.
Along with # 2, there are the comments and interpretations from other people to the fact that your bearing has become more upright: “What right to do you have to look arrogant and pleased with yourself?” All those manipulators who were attracted to you because you appeared to be a guilty victim will want to knock you down a peg. And – what about the attention women attract when they walk tall? Who wants to attract those wolf whistles? In the wrong neighborhood, it could get you noticed and that’s a hassle.
But the one you left out is getting swamped by a habit coming back that figures it MUST be necessary, just like a bureaucrat would fight to protect their livelihoods even though obsolete. You can feel just like a yoyo until the habit truly gives up.
Oh, and then there’s the confused, alienated looks you get from everyone you know when you try to describe what has happened to you. They figure you’ve religiously converted to some cult. Like making up words such as “truthiness.”
Great approach. I would say this post was tailor-made for turning it into a Five Dollar Explanation video.
Thanks Franis! The Alexander Technique certainly can cause problems.