Relax, but don’t make a habit out of it. Make a habit out of relaxing with direction— and often the direction is up, though…
Sometimes parts of you will be going
down, or out,
left, right,
or
a
w
a
y;
Towards the window, the wall, the floor, the ceiling, or the sky.
Sometimes combined.
Sometimes contracting, most times expanding.
Sometimes primary, some times secondary.
It’s done with your thinking, then new habits free you up.
Thoughts, besides thoughts about body parts, are a bit more involved.
The Use of the Brain has yet to be written.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Image courtesy of  Free digital Photos.net “Lovely Corporate Woman With Raised Arms” by stockimages
This is great. It reminds me of what John Nicholls said to me in an interview about giving a first Alexander Technique lesson. He reframes “relaxation” and invites his students to think of relaxing upwards and outwards. Thanks for this. 🙂
Thank you so much Imogen! For whatever reason, certain words are “forbidden” with some Alexander Technique teachers. “Relaxation” is sometimes one of those words, “posture” is another, and sometimes even the word “try”. So, I feel it is my duty to use those words whenever possible, especially with newer students. My idea is to use the words, but stick to Alexander Technique principles.