The Alexander Technique improves posture, sustainably.
The Alexander Technique and the Museum Walk
In 1998, just prior to learning the Alexander Technique, I developed severe, debilitating neck pain. This pain, which started in my hand, lasted months. It was caused by hunching over my musical instrument, for decades. I tried just about everything for relief, and was even contemplating risky neck surgery. One of the worst times during the day was when I had to walk. Although I was walking as smoothly as possible, every step brought spinal compression which was excruciating...
The Alexander Technique is just what the doctor (would have) ordered
The Alexander Technique is just what the doctor would order, if he knew about it. What does the doctor order? For back pain or neck pain, the doctor might order X Rays or an MRI, which could be helpful. She might write a prescription for pain medication or muscle relaxers which are sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. He might order physical therapy which can be helpful, or harmful. An orthopedist or neurologist might propose surgery which is sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. She may suggest yoga, pilates, massage, rolfing, and other well-intentioned modalities, which are sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. And, finally, some doctors recommend the Alexander Technique, which is just about never harmful, and often extremely helpful...
Alexander Technique Posture
Alexander Technique teachers help you improve your posture, but not your military posture. Alexander Technique good posture feels good; military posture, not so much. Military posture requires a lot. You have to throw your shoulders back, suck your stomach in, stick your chin back, thrust your chest out; stiffen up. That's a lot of throwing, sticking, sucking, thrusting, and stiffening.
How Can I Improve My Meditation Posture?
...Good posture while you meditate, or your meditation posture, can be a challenge for those new to meditation, as well as those more experienced with meditation. Improving one's Meditation posture is important for people who meditate for ten minutes, and those who meditate for hours. The Alexander Technique can help with meditation posture, as it helps with posture in general. In researching various instructions for proper meditation posture, a suggestion that keeps arising is ‘keep your spine straight.
