The Alexander Technique and habits of thought.
You may find yourself playing out some crazy future scenario that may or may not happen.
You may find yourself criticizing yourself in a way you’d never criticize anyone else.
You may find yourself ruminating about something over which you have no control.
Breathe… Smile… because you just found yourself.
You just found yourself becoming aware of a habitual thought pattern. Somehow a gap happened temporarily stopping, or inhibiting, your train of thought… and here you are, looking out at the crossroads.
You can now switch routes.
The Alexander Technique is 90% mental; the other half is physical*
We Alexander Technique enthusiasts often practice creating a space, so that we can respond, instead of react, to our everyday routines.
We can also create a space when we find ourselves thinking un-helpfully. Neural connections between the brain and the body are bi-directional; they go from body to brain, and brain to body.
Once you’ve stopped… You can start a loop, a virtuous cycle, with your thinking/body anytime you’d like.
Start with a Stop and…
Observe your breathing and let it be fuller.
Let go of your neck muscles so that your head can rotate forward and move up.
Free your breathing again, and release your jaw, and your shoulders.
Let your whole torso lengthen, and widen, and breathe fully again.
Smile and whisper Ahhh….
Repeat.
You are freeing yourself.
You’re here, it’s now, you’re back, and it started with a stop; inhibition.
What’s next? Your choice.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Image Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net/Change Or Same Signpost Showing by Stuart Miles
*What Yogi Berra might say
Not play out some crazy, future scenario that probably will not happen! Hmmm…what a revolutionary thought! I kind of need to be reminded of this like all the time! Thanks for the post Mark! 🙂
Thanks Rena. I need to be reminded also!
This blog was so perfect for me in this moment. The reminder, “You may find yourself ruminating about something over which you have no control” was especially apt for me today, and just reading this helped me let go!
And of course, I love your “quote” – The Alexander Technique is 90% mental; the other half is physical!!
That’s great!
Thanks Imogen!