Sometimes, when I’m trying to figure something out, (or thinking about an Alexander Technique blog- like now) I’ll notice that I’m pacing around my apartment. My apartment is so small the mice walk around round-shouldered.
It’s so small that when you put the key in the door you break the mirror.
So small that you have to go out into the hall to change your mind. It’s a small apartment, is what I’m trying to say, so I end up walking in a rather small circle.
Walking and pacing
But am I walking or am I pacing? Both. And, it depends.
Pacing has its own unique quality. Pacing isn’t strolling, nor is it walking somewhere with a purpose. When you pace, you’re not going anywhere. You pace back and forth, as if you’re in a cage.
When pacing, we’re usually staring downward, though
not looking at anything in particular. We’ve withdrawn inside ourselves; shut off and shut down. Our gaze has contracted into a small circumference. We’re concentrating and we’re concentrated. We’re overly fixed; not seeing the whole picture. We’ve narrowed our view.
We bring our neck, head, torso, and our thoughts into this forward but downward direction. We’ve put ourselves in a box—making it more difficult to think outside the box.
Awareness alone can be self-correcting
Free your neck muscles to let your head move up.
Your gaze moves from the floor to the horizon.
Think forward and up, Alexander Technique style.
Release tension in your face and jaw.
Add a slight smile and whisper ahhhh.
Then, consciously walk over to your phone and contact your Alexander teacher for a lesson.
Mark Josefsberg—Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Image Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net “Footprint” by zole4
Leave A Comment