Meditation Posture
The benefits of meditation and the Alexander Technique are becoming more and more known and accepted by mainstream medicine. Some MD’s are recommending meditation to patients with high blood pressure, patients with stress related conditions, heart disease, headaches, digestive disorders and more.
Some meditators have told me that one of the challenges to their practice is attempting to sit comfortably for a length of time; whether ten minutes or an hour or more. The Alexander Technique can help.
It is helpful to be more at ease both on and away from the cushion, chair, bench, pew or floor. Why add tension to meditation? Why add tension to anything? So…
Free your neck, which means free your neck of excess tension. It’s easy once you cultivate the skill. Let your head rotate forward (slowly, slightly lower your nose) Allow the crown of your head to move up. Let your torso release into length and width. Breathe. Expand. When you release excess tension in your legs, they will move away from your torso. Allow your arms to move away from your torso. Let your sitting bones release down into the cushion.
These are a few directions. As you learn to use the principles of the Alexander Technique you become aware of tensions and extra work which heretofore were unconscious. Enjoy your meditation…more.
Mark Josefsberg
917.709.4648
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The thing is in meditation we should not focus on our surroundings or body, so it makes me wonder whether in this technique we are constantly focusing on our posture? or do we give our attention to our body only when we feel discomfort and pain?
Hi Serpico,
You’re right. We don’t want to constantly focus on our posture. That sounds pretty awful. Alexander spoke of ‘use of the self’, which goes beyond posture, and goes beyond the body. Just the word posture usually implies rigidity, which is exactly what we don’t want with the Alexander Technique. Also, the Technique is not just about the body; it is about the mind/body. Alexander described it as psycho/physical.
We also don’t give our attention to our body only when we’re in pain. The Alexander Technique and it’s principles are something you apply to your life whenever you think about them.
I think the way to approach this is when you’re meditating; meditate, when you’re playing music; play music. You can certainly apply the principles as you approach your pillow, or the floor, or a chair or a rock or the bandstand or whatever. If you periodically think about the Technique it will creep in to your daily life, and you can do anything with more ease. The AT could help when you’re meditating and when you’re not, which means… all the time.
Dogen ” to study the self is to forget the self.
Hello Mark,
I’m “shopping” for a bodyworker for my doctor! Can you give me a call so I can explain?
347.427.1390
917.656.2481
Many thanks,
Meryl
I certainly will call. Right now in fact.
Mark
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Alexander Technique »
Welcome To Alexander Technique NYC!
Mark Josefsberg- Nationally Certified Alexander Technique Teacher offering Alexander Technique lessons in New York City. Fix your posture, reduce your back pain, neck pain, stress and more with the Alexander Technique.
For locations and fees please see the ‘FAQ’s’ page (on top.)
“With good humor, specificity, and charm, Mark makes a challenging technique accessible and fun!” -Kyra Sedgwick
“I really enjoyed our Alexander Technique sessions, 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.
To schedule a session call Mark: (917) 709-4648 or email: Mark@MarkJosefsberg.com
Neck Pain »
How To Reduce Neck Pain
I have a stiff neck. We say we have a stiff or sore neck, as if someone gave it to us and now it’s ours. In Alexander Technique terms it might be more accurate to say “I’m stiffening my neck.” Of course if you say it that way you sound insane…
Posture »
Alexander Technique Posture Directions
Alexander Technique Directions
I wish to free my neck … so that
My head can move forward and up…so that
My torso can lengthen and widen and…
My legs can move away from my torso and…
My shoulders can release out the sides.
Alexander Technique directions act as verbal, or neuro-linguistc cues. They tell us where we want to go, which is often upward, outward, into expansion. Up, down, and out. Head up, feet or sit bones down, shoulders out, legs away…
Stress »
Over Learning The Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique has been described as a reeducation technique or psycho-physical reeducation. It is also a technique to be overlearned, and not only because you learn it over other things (bad habits of either movement or stillness), but when it comes to the Alexander Technique we need to be overeducated; we need to overlearn it so that we can use it under duress, much like a musician practices over and over to be able to execute music under stress…
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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 unnecessary tension.
4. Carry yourself with confidence, and present yourself with poise and strength.
5. Breathe easier and have a stronger voice.
6. Why Alexander Technique lessons?
Because we live in New York!
Mark Josefsberg-AmSAT and ACAT Certified Alexander Technique Teacher
Mark@MarkJosefsberg.com
(269)-POSTURE
or 917.709.4648
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