Alexander Technique-Happier Holidays
Alexander Technique and Holidays
Can the Alexander Technique and Alexander Technique lessons help us with the stress of the holidays, 2011 style? Yes, especially when we remember that the stress isn’t the problem in itself. The real problem is how we handle the stress, and the manifestations of the stress. The Alexander Technique highlights the symptoms of stress. We know we’re stressed as our breathing gets shallow, our hearts race, jaw tightens, and our muscles contract. The Alexander Technique helps us notice how we tighten our neck for instance, bringing our head back and down compressing our spine. We may tense our jaw, fingers, toes and shoulders. We may seem to lose control of our thoughts.
The Alexander Technique is a psycho-physical reeducation process, and one of the first steps is awareness. We can’t change something of which we’re not aware. So, can we change our breathing pattern? Yes; the moment we become aware of it, as sometimes awareness can be self-correcting. We can allow our ribcage to fully contract and expand. Since the Alexander Technique is practiced in the present moment, anywhere, it’s helpful to take your mind away from the stress, and on to your breathing. Can we do something about the unconscious tightening of the neck, jaw, fingers, toes and shoulders as we become more aware? Yes, yes, yes, yes. And yes. The Alexander Technique teaches us how to let go of excess tension in all these areas and it can be done in a few seconds, right now. With the Alexander Technique we learn to make the unconscious conscious. So, indirectly we’re addressing our stress by dealing with the moment to moment symptoms the stress produces. Exhale slowly and then let the air come in.
Happier Holidays!
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
or 917.709.4648
Related posts:
Leave a comment!