One of my Alexander Technique students just returned from Paris. He described visiting a museum called "Musee L'Orangerie". Before you enter the main part of the museum, you enter an entirely white room. The room was designed by Monet to serve as a decompression chamber between the bustle of the city and his work (the Waterlilies). This entirely white, empty, 'pause' room is a great metaphor for Alexander Technique's inhibition...
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'...
Many Alexander Technique teachers are slumpers, or former slumpers. My name is Mark and I'm a slumper. Slumping was my habit before I became an Alexander Technique teacher, and it will be my habit forever. Although slumping is my habit, I don't have to 'do' my habit; I don't have to inhabit my habit. I could observe it. Through awareness...
What if F.M. Alexander, the originator of the Alexander Technique, was born in 1969 in New York City, instead of 1869 in Tazmania? What would the Alexander Technique look like today? How would it differ? What can we learn about our habits and beliefs as Alexander Technique teachers and students?
