Alexander Technique and Gripping
Let go with the Alexander Technique.
The Alexander Technique helps us become aware of muscular tension, that sometimes takes the form of gripping. We grip with our fingers. We grip with our jaw. We grip with our toes. We grip our torsos with our elbows, and grip our legs up into our torso, tightening our hip joints. We grip and press our lips together. We grip our neck, pressing it down on our spine. We grip and grasp objects, people, thoughts, opinions, beliefs, concepts, and our idea of what is right and wrong. We grip images with our eyes. We grip memories. We grip people close to us. We grasp what we already know.
We have a gripping attachment to our habitual, harmful movement patterns, or even how we respond to words, both internal and external. Our response to many situations is to hold on tightly. We over-grip the steering wheel, our toothbrush, our comb, and coffee cup. We over-grip a pen, the mouse, the remote, and the fork.
The Alexander Technique release.
We hold on to our viewpoints and hold them as truths. They become solidified, and so do we; mind and body. We may even grip Alexander Technique directions!
We grip our spines. As we press our heads down on our spines, it’s as if we’re being gripped from without, but we’re gripping from within, drawing us down and in.
One of the first principles of the Alexander Technique is to free your neck. Since this direction is preventive, freeing your neck means loosening the grip of your neck muscles. Since you can’t separate the psyche from the physical, freeing your neck loosens the grip of your entire body/mind.
And, considering the body/mind connection, what happens to our thinking as we release harmful excess muscular gripping and tension? Might that help us let go of unproductive anger, sadness, and our downward spiraling ruminations? What are we willing to let go of right now? Let an Alexander Technique teacher help you loosen your grip.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Photo by Freedigitalphotos.net
This is such a true obervation. Thank you so much.
Whitney Vose
Thank you so much, Whitney!
Just read your brilliant and very true article for some of us on gripping. I’d been describing it as “clenching” in my case. Do you know of an Alexander Technique Teacher in the Dallas area that you would recommend?
Blessings
Hilary
Thank you Hilary!
I don’t know anyone in the Dallas area, unfortunately. But, have you tried googling Alexander Technique Dallas, or Alexander Technique teachers Dallas, or Alexander Technique lessons Dallas? Also try http://www.alexandertechnique.com. Also the American society of Alexander Technique teachers at amsatonline.org
Good luck,and let me know how it goes!