Take a moment as you’re reading this to stop, and look up with your eyes only.
Then look straight ahead again. Do this a few times.
You may notice that there is an ever-so-slight tensing of your neck, or the muscles in the back of your head as you move your eyes in their sockets.
Do you also notice some tension in your jaw, or the tops of your shoulders as you raise your eyes?
You may also observe this same slight or not-so-slight tensing as you look left and right, eyes only.
I’ll wait while you experiment…
Things are looking up with the Alexander Technique
If you are familiar with the Alexander Technique, you’re familiar with the phrase “free your neck”.
Take a moment, free your neck, and look up with your eyes only. Go back and forth between “just” looking up, and freeing your neck before and as you look up. Notice a difference?
The freedom some of us seek through the Alexander Technique includes the eyes.
As you read this, notice if you are using extra, unhealthy muscular tension to get your eyes closer to the words.
Pause, think of something pleasant or funny, and move your eyes further away.
If you’re at a desk and need to get further away (or closer), pivot using your hip joints. If you’re using a tablet or phone, gently use your arms and hands to get the writing nearer or further.
Notice any changes, including a feeling of calmness, fuller breathing, and lessening of jaw tension as you stay back with your eyes.
Let your torso, including your neck, be back and up, and let your eyes be soft, and back. We could all do with a little less grabbing, clutching, and gripping with our eyes.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Photo by Salvatore Vuono-FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Mary Stuyvesant Eagle
The eyes are rooted in the neck.
Wheresoever one intends to look, it is the neck that ferrys the head which houses the eyes that wish to look.
The neck that is free allows the eyes to see.
The neck that is free allows the head to enable the eyes, which enables the individual to make the best choices.
Aye-aye for the Eyes, say I !!!!!!!
Thank you, Mary Eagle!