Sometimes students come into Alexander lessons finishing up their water, or coffee. They throw their heads back for the last gulp, then put the cup down and walk towards the chair to start their lesson.
After a brief talk about when the lesson actually “starts,” I make drinking part of the lesson. (There’s a straight line for ya’)
Firstly, we tend to grasp the cup too tightly. (We also clutch ideas, concepts, viewpoints, and opinions.) We use more tension than needed, and earlier than needed.
We initiate lifting a relatively weightless cup or plastic bottle with the big muscles of the shoulders.
Instead, drink this in:
When you raise your glass towards your mouth, start the motion by raising your fingertips, and consider the glass or cup as an extension of your fingertips. Use only enough muscular effort needed to lift the drink.
Notice if you’re starting the motion by unnecessarily raising your shoulder and tightening your neck, or jaw.
Then, when the cup is to your lips, rotate your wrist to tilt the bottle, instead of tilting your head back and down on your spine. Your jaw is free to open and move away from your head, as needed.
Of course, you can adhere to Alexander Technique principles while tilting your head back. It’s necessary when getting to the last of the liquid, or using eyedrops, gargling, eating pizza the right way, looking at the sky, clouds, birds, ceilings, at the movies, or in the planetarium. But, you don’t have to tilt your head back and down.
Don’t drink down; drink up!
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Image courtesy of ImageryMajestic- FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Cheers Mark!
Right back atcha, Jo Ann!