Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual.
When learning the Alexander Technique we commonly hear about control. F. M. Alexander, the developer of the Alexander Technique, wrote about Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual. He stressed the importance of primary control (the head, neck, back relationship.) He spoke of conscious guidance and control.
Yet at one time or another, like it or not, sooner or later, ready or not, we will relinquish control and experience loss. Loss of our phone, loss of our job, loss of a friend, a pet, or loss of a relationship. We lose our youth, and we may lose a long-held dream. We lose our parents, we lose our innocence, and we lose our health.
While the Alexander Technique assists us changing our response to everyday stimuli, we can’t predict how we will respond to a sudden loss, or an unforeseen future event. But we can practice when times are good, and then do the best we can.
Constructive Conscious Loss by the Individual.
“Nothing that grieves us can be called little; by the eternal laws of proportion a child’s loss of a doll and a king’s loss of a crown are events of the same size.” -Mark Twain
“Why does God allow guns? Why did Jonathan’s daddy have to die? Why was Margaret born blind?” -Amelia, four years old.
Loss is gritty, real, and universal. We don’t want to experience loss of something we love, but it is guaranteed that we will. But, how do we respond to loss?
Physically, we may grip and try to hold on to what was. We react and contract.
If we loosen our grip, we may hang our head and slump, drop, collapse, compress, shorten, narrow, sink, and shrink. We feel down, and we are down.
The Alexander Technique- When Sit Happens.
Let go of the tension in your neck, and let your head go up.
Take your time.
Let your head take your whole spine up with it.
At the same time, let your sit bones, the “u” shaped bones at the bottom of your pelvis, go down into the chair.
You are going up, and down, simultaneously.
Add a genuine smile by thinking of the right person, place, object, pet, flower, a joke, a secret, or a special time.
Let your breathing be full; top, bottom, sides, and back.
Come back to your neck and free it again.
Head up, sit bones down.
Go ahead and smile. Smirk if you like!
The Alexander Technique-Stand Tall.
Re-free the tension in your neck.
You are now releasing those back-of-the-neck muscles that were pulling your head down.
Go up! At the same time feel your feet going down into the ground. Head in the clouds, feet on the earth.
Your shoulders are just resting on your ribcage, because there’s no need to use them now.
Breathe fully, make a slow, whispered, “ahhh” sound.
Add a smile, even slightly, even an internal one.
Let go of any jaw tension.
Let a whispered “ahhh” exhalation help let go of the old moment. Let the silent inhalation give you energy.
The Alexander Technique lets you become calmer, more in control, and see things from a different perspective. This new-found freedom of mind and body may open you up to new possibilities. Perhaps the Alexander Technique will open you up to meditation, yoga, therapy, coaching, a doctor visit, or anything else that works for you.
As you open up, mind and body, you may find help in unexpected places.
Meditate, pray, chant, watch a comedy, take a walk, talk to a friend, read a book, listen to music; Whatever gets you through the night. We will all be in this together.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
Feel free to contact me.
(917) 709-4648
Lovely, Mark. A very useful post for those who are grieving or depressed. Thank you.
Thanks much, Robbin.
Please pass it on if you think it will help someone going through a rough time.
Mark, this is a very timely and beautifully written post. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Jo Ann. I really appreciate it, and hope you’re doing ok.
Beautiful. Life is essentially impermanent, and resistance to this fact is what causes tension and suffering.
I especially like your connection between applying Alexander thinking right in the middle of a loss to the opening up of new possibilities. In this way, it becomes easier to see what kind of help one might need.
Thanks!
Beautifully put, Amy. The Alexander Technique can be an end in itself, or we can choose to use it as a pathway. I think it can help open us up.
Thank you for this clear post, Mark.
Thank you, Jantine.
Thank you. Beautifully expressed and very comforting.
Thank you Jiammae,
That’s exactly what I was going for. The Alexander Technique can be incredibly helpful during hard times. There are also many other ways to find help. One of the beautiful aspects of the Alexander Technique is that you can use it while being comforted in countless other ways.