This ’stopping’ business is a crucial element of the Alexander Technique. The gap between a stimulus and a response gives us a chance to do something different. Alexander called what occurs during this gap ‘inhibition’.We learn to inhibit. It’s an integral part of the technique, part of the three pillars: Awareness, Inhibition and Direction.
Mark

I also like this stopping of habitual thinking. In my opinion this ’stopping’ is already the main part. Becoming aware about it and decide just to stop. You went on thinking about your body in a more constructive way. It usually leads me first to questioning the underlying concepts e.g. “OK, I’m late, so I’m angry or whatever, but does this actually help me in any way? Actually I (now) can’t do anything about being late so accept the fact and enjoy life…” By changing this concept my body tends to follow into o more open way of use. In this way one can also learn a lot about habitual reactions and gradually change them.

All the best,
Daniel