I think F.M. Alexander (1869-1955), the developer of the Alexander Technique, would be fascinated by the emerging evidence of how thinking affects our brain, how our brain affects our body, and how our body affects our brain. Detailed brain imagery demonstrates that thinking is not a purely mental process; it is physical as well. Measurable, physical changes occur in our brains ‘just’ by thinking. In other words, we don’t just think. We change our brains, in function and structure, with our minds and bodies…

1. Become aware, and then let go of the muscles in the back of your neck.

2. Think of your head moving up. (The crown of your head)

3. Slightly, slowly lower your nose.

4. Continue 1,2,3, and let your sit bones release down in your chair, but your torso moves up.

5. If you’re standing, let your feet release down while the rest of you moves up.

6. Let your jaw dangle open, even when you’re lips are closed. (Give it a try)…

The Alexander Technique For Dummies is a slight put-down. ‘Calculus For Dummies’, ‘Biology For Dummies’, ‘Basket Weaving For Dummies’ , ”The Alexander Technique For Dummies’ are all slight put-downs. I realize these titles actually mean for beginners, but ‘For Dummies’ is a derogatory term. The only ‘For Dummies’ book I can think of that would not a put down and would, in fact, be uplifting and inspirational would be ‘Ventriloquism For Dummies’…

“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. The Alexander Technique is the how of how you do anything.” Those phrases have been spoken countless times by Alexander Technique teachers at Alexander Technique lessons. The Alexander Technique is the how of everything you do. It’s how you sit at the computer, more than just that you’re sitting at the computer, that might lead to bad posture, neck pain, back pain, or shoulder pain. As an Alexander Technique teacher I help people sit at the computer, stand, and walk, with more ease and less tension. This results in improved posture, pain relief, and an overall sense of well-being.
There is also another angle, however, regarding how you use the Alexander Technique; it’s what you don’t do…

Since becoming a full-time Alexander teacher in 2003, I’ve taught the Alexander Technique in settings including classrooms, libraries, homes, cars, community centers, hospitals, physical therapy offices, health food stores, neurologists offices, music schools, music studios, office cubicles, colleges, Broadway theatres, and gyms. Today I taught the Alexander Technique in a men’s room…

At our recent Alexander Technique lesson, one of my Alexander Technique students told me she noticed how much extra effort she was using while chopping vegetables. Under normal circumstances we are not angry at vegetables. Next time you’re cutting something, take a moment and pause. Notice the grip you are using while holding the knife. If you are gripping more than necessary…

I had an unusual teaching day last week as three of my Alexander Technique students told me they were going to the dentist. I don’t mean they were all going to the dentist together, but separately, and coincidentally. Since two of the three are dealing with neck pain, and the third with shoulder pain, we discussed how the Alexander Technique could help them during their visit. We first spoke about the stress…

The Alexander Technique, or the Alexander Method, is a system used to help a person’s overall functioning. It was designed, or created by F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) who was an actor having vocal problems. …

In an Alexander Technique lesson I taught today, my student began by telling me her neck pain felt a little worse this week. When I inquired about it she told me that the physical therapist she’d been seeing added a new exercise for her neck, and it hurt her. Unfortunately, as an Alexander Technique teacher, I hear this story quite a lot. I told her that in my opinion she needs to subtract some things she’s doing rather than adding to it…

…Good posture while you meditate, or your meditation posture, can be a challenge for those new to meditation, as well as those more experienced with meditation. Improving one’s Meditation posture is important for people who meditate for ten minutes, and those who meditate for hours. The Alexander Technique can help with meditation posture, as it helps with posture in general.
In researching various instructions for proper meditation posture, a suggestion that keeps arising is ‘keep your spine straight.