Alexander Technique Posture Habits
Many Alexander Technique teachers are slumpers, or former slumpers. My name is Mark and I’m a slumper. Slumping was my habit before I became an Alexander Technique teacher, and it will be my habit forever. Although slumping is my habit, I don’t have to ‘do’ my habit; I don’t have to inhabit my habit. I could observe it. Through awareness, I know my tendencies, and can stop them before they start. I now can stop… and put a gap in between a stimulus and a response. Some common stimuli are computers, computers (they need to be listed twice), being late and stress. These stimuli don’t cause anything by themselves; it’s our automatic habitual reaction to them. Some common responses are tightening of the neck, tightening of the neck (it needs to be listed twice), shallow breathing, general contracting leading to bad posture, tightening of the jaw and on and on.
We habitually slump at the computer, dinner table and desk. Our necks are habitually poking forward (even more when late or stressed) which compresses the spine. Then the habit continues while standing, cooking, brushing teeth, playing an instrument, working out etc. Some muscles slacken while others have to work harder than necessary, and this is even carried into bed as you try and sleep.
With the help of Alexander Technique lessons, we can learn to take a moment before sitting in a chair, using the computer or watching TV, to do these things in a less harmful way. (Alexander called this stopping ‘inhibition’.) If a moment isn’t taken before reacting, changes can be made during any action. A point is reached after studying the Alexander Technique where new habits have been formed. Even if that little gap between the stimulus and the response isn’t taken we still may ‘catch ourselves’ doing the Alexander Technique.
Just as a recovering alcoholic who hasn’t had a single drink in 25 years may say they’re still alcoholic; I’m Mark and I’m a slumper.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(269)- P-O-S-T-U-R-E
or (917) 709-4648
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