Alexander Technique and Holidays

Can the Alexander Technique and Alexander Technique lessons help us with the stress of the holidays, 2009 style? Absolutely, especially when we remember that the stress isn’t the problem.  The real problem is how we handle the stress, and the manifestations of the stress. Stress has symptoms. Our body may tell us we’re stressed because our breathing gets shallow, our hearts race and our muscles contract. We tighten our necks, bringing our head back and down which could be a result of our habitual startle response.  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 decide to become aware of it. We can allow our ribcage to fully contract and expand. Since the Alexander Technique is practiced in the present moment, 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, mindfully, and then let the air come in.

Happier Holidays!

Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC

Mark@MarkJosefsberg.com

Call Mark@ 269-POSTURE

or 917.709.4648