‘P‘ words seemp to have have an important and prominent place in the Alexander Technique, precisely why there’ll be a pot-pourri of p’s permeating and peppering this perfunctory post.

It’s plausible to think the Alexander Technique is about particular positions, poses or appearances but more precisely…

Here are a few of my favorite Alexander Technique related books, in no particular order:

Is the Alexander Technique a ’series of exercises?’ Yes. And no. What might be implied with the word ’series’ is that there are exercises one does in a certain order, and they’re the same for everybody… Exercise doesn’t always mean working out or lifting weights…One of the big difference between many of these Alexander Technique exercises and what we might usually think of as exercise is that that you don’t have to spend any extra time ‘doing’ the Alexander Technique. You incorporate…

A useful component in learning the Alexander Technique is the idea of oppositions. A few Alexander Technique oppositions include: head and torso opposing each other, arms and torso, legs and torso, sit bones down; torso and head up, shoulders opposing each other and more… We probably aren’t going to learn the Alexander Technique purely through observation but being aware combined with lessons…

I would recommend any patient try the technique before more invasive interventions; that is, patients with chronic or recurrent functional back pain…Dr. Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research.

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)…

The Alexander Technique is great when you miss the F train, here in NYC…just letting go of extra muscular effort in your neck…

Got an extra third of a second or so? You could use it by doing nothing. Not doing anything. Not doing the thing you were going to do, and instead doing something different. Or not that either. Your choice. It’s your choice, if you stop your habitual, automatic response and choose. Mind the gap…

…think of the head moving forward as a forward rotation of the head on the spine. Slowly lower your nose as you let the crown of your head move up. Let your head lead your spine into length. When you want to get closer to the computer screen, use your hip joints and leave your spine alone. Don’t force…

So, if you’re tensing your neck, not only will it bring your head back and down, but it will shorten and narrow your torso, giving you a sunken, round-shouldered look. You can try it yourself to see, or maybe you’re trying it right now as you collapse towards the computer screen. Don’t worry…