Larry writes: “Luke’s Alexander method sounds like bull****, these folks should just do some TM and some yoga before seeing Luke.”
You can do all the yoga and TM in the world and it is not going to help you change your habits of needless tension and compression.
People often go to yoga thinking it will fix them. That it is doing something positive about their posture. And I watch people hobble into yoga and hobble out with the same tension patterns that they had going in.
If you tip your head back and compress your torso every time you get in and out of a chair and encounter any sizable stimulus, all the yoga and meditation in the world is not going to fix that destructive habit.
I interviewed Alexander teacher Bill Plake a few weeks ago.
Luke: “How popular do you think the Technique can be with the general public? Can it ever be akin to yoga?”
Bill: “I don’t believe it ever will until there’s a radical shift in consciousness in the human race.
“The main reason why I don’t think this will ever be wildly popular is that this demands a responsibility and vigilance that most people are unwilling to adhere to.
“I’d heard of the Alexander Technique 20 years before I took my first lesson. When I took my first lessons, I knew that if I had done this at 28, I would never have gone back to my second lesson. I would’ve said, there is no way I’m going to pay attention like this. I just don’t care.”
“Vigilance was easier for me when I came to it at an older age because I was feeling desperate. I was willing to do anything to keep playing my instrument.”
“Many people just don’t want to do the work. Many of these people don’t mind going to a yoga place. I see them where I teach at the YMCA and I see 20-30 people go into a giant yoga class and they come hobbling out with the same old crippled use that they had going in. But they feel good about it. ‘I went to yoga. My posture is going to be good. And life’s going to be good because I did my yoga.’ Many people don’t mind doing that one-hour yoga class two or three times a week. It’s like taking a pill. You do your yoga or you do your pilates or you go to your physical therapist or you go to your chiropractor and then you feel good about it.”
I just thought I’d let you know that I have been a suffering porn
addict who developed a fascination for your porn blogs for many years.
I am based in the UK. I liked your site because (a) you have a gift
for writing and (b) you seemed to be genuinely wrestling with your
conscience, which mirrored my own struggles, and that you really
wanted to help people. However, you kept slipping back into the
clutches of the deadly porn industry that was ruining you (and me).
I recently returned to Anglicanism (mainstream Protestantism here in
the UK) at the age of 37 and have discovered, after going cold turkey
on porn, that my relationship with women has been ruined by my
obsession with pornography. Even though I have never paid for internet
porn in my life, preferring to read about it, look at free previews
and then pirated tube sites in recent years, I feel that the implicit
misogyny has harmed me massively.
I had a mini-relapse today by looking at www.lukeisback.com, which
went against my new “zero tolerance” attitude to pornography. But on a positive side, it was great to find the interview with you and read about your progress in life.
I enjoyed your beard-shaving video. You seem a lot happier
than I have seen you in the past. I remember a ghastly video a few
years ago showing you living in a garage (is my memory serving me
correctly?), taking lots of medication. It’s great to see you with a
sense of a higher purpose and enjoying membership of a benevolent
community. I also have those two benefits.
You mention in your article here that there are various 12 step sex addiction groups. May I ask which one you chose? I have considered joining one myself, although probably an “accountability partner” at my local church (which a friend is organising for me) will be the permanent solution.
I have been reading about your struggles to build your practice. First, it is a very rare experience when success happens overnight. The normal course is to do what you can to “sow seeds,” advertise, email, appear personally at meetings of groups that you think might have members who would be interested in Alexander technique, etc. All of these take time. There were times that I spoke before groups, handed out my business card and would receive calls from a friend or acquaintance or client of someone I handed out a business card to, two or three years later. So hang in there.
Regarding the competition from Asian massage, I think it provides a natural source of referrals. I think you should meet the employees of these establishments, and suggest that in exchange for a massage for you, you will teach them some Alexander Technique. It must be very wearying to be on your feet and bending over and applying pressure to the body of the person being massaged. You could show how assuming the “Monkey” posture would make it easier for them.
Another suggestion is to ask the proprietors if you can leave your business card there. I would suggest that you rename your skill the “Alexandra Technique” and when you are teaching it you could cross dress as “Lucy Ford.”
For whatever reason, seemingly every religious and ethnic group in the United States endeavors to claim the title of victim, from Jews offended by a Christmas tree in a Seattle Airport to Muslims who claim religious persecution on an almost daily basis. Secular zealots – ironically every bit as religious in their beliefs as Hasidic Jews – express intense anger at the thought of a Ten Commandments statue on or near a public building. Practicing Christians understandably voice their anger at a profoundly offensive “Piss Christ” photograph in a gallery in Avignon, France. People of all religions harbor resentment at countless blatant acts, which insult their every belief.
However, in the face of unflagging anti-Mormon bigotry, at least as overt and ugly as the aforementioned groups, the vast majority of the LDS community has taken the attacks with aplomb and a sense of humor. While it’s true that polygamy has been a stain on the Mormon reputation, its leaders deserve credit for recognizing the faults within their culture and taking steps to eradicate the practice, at least in the mainstream.
Matt Stone and Trey Parker, creators of South Park, an American animated TV series, produced an episode a few years back with a two-second clip showing Muhammad in a bear suit. This alone prompted the network to force Stone and Parker to censor the image of Muhammad, because it feared a violent reaction.
In stark contrast, the same show produced an episode dedicated to belittling the core of the Mormon faith. Mormons responded without so much as a peep of protest or a single known threat of violence. Subsequently, the same creative team produced a show on Broadway predicated on the same principle, to belittle and savage the practices of Mormons. This musical is still running and has been wildly successful. Imagine what would happen if it were a musical focused on celebrating anti-Semitism or Islamophobia. As in its lack of response to the South Park episode, the Latter Day Saints mounted no protests, demanded no boycotts, and made no attempts to claim victimhood.
On his radio show today, Dennis Prager said: “Republicans have to nominate somebody who will appeal to the middle but Democrats don’t. You never hear that among the Democrats — who’s going to appeal to the independent and the center? President Obama can run for re-election as the most divisive president in terms of rhetoric. There has never been a president who has divided the country as clearly and as intentionally as this president. There is the rich and the rest of us and they are the problem. I’ve never heard an American group scapegoated. I’ve heard people blamed for their values.
“Blaming an economic group has caused more genocidal actions than blaming a race or religion.”
“I’m disappointed in Newt Gingrich. The mode of attack [on Mitt Romney for his work at Bain Capital]. The films he’s making, the films he’s supporting.”
“There is no economic system other than dictatorship that can ensure no individual economic tragedy. Newt Gingrich, Mr Conservative, is now Mr Obama in rhetoric.”
Mukome posts to YouTube: Obama appealing to middle: Rahm, Daley, Lew, Geithner, Bernanke, LaHood, Kagan, Hillary, Robert Gates, Rick Warren, record deportations, extending Bush tax cuts, surge in Afghanistan, drone war in five countries, charter schools, federal wage freeze, Simpson-Bowles, offshore drilling, over-ruling EPA on smog, over-ruling FDA on Plan B, indefinite detentions, the list goes on and on…
Right next to my lofty Alexander Technique headquarters at Alexander90210.com are four Asian establishments offering happy endings. And I can’t compete with their prices or their customer service.
Rubmaps.com, so you know it’s accurate, lists four Asian massage joints in Beverly Hills:
Everhealthy Medical Center
310-553-2988
9016 Olympic Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA, 90660
****
$60 per hour (not including tip)
Knead Massage Boutique
310-289-7900
229 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
***
$60 per hour (not including tip)
Star Healthcare Therapy Center
310-447-8846
292 S. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 210
Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
****
$45 per hour (not including tip)
Golden Touch Massage
310-854-1872
278 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
*****
$60 per hour (not including tip)
I teach a lofty cerebral technique. I help people notice their patterns of needless compression and show them how to let go, but these Asian joints offer their own release from unnecessary tension and the reviews are raves.
Connie at Golden Touch Massage gets four stars from this reviewer: “I called in advance to see if connie would be in. I then drove over and connie met me at the door. She walked me in the room, i asked for an hour and she said the she only had time today for an hour. I was not happy about this but paid for the half anyway. After 25 minutes of a not so relaxing soft massage, the flip. Her body is very skinny and was nice to lightly grope. She told me to take my time but pounded away and it was over quick. She clean, brought me candy and water and then i was on my way. I will go back only if in the area and not going to a place look for a harder legit massage. This is where I get my happy ending in Beverly Hills.”
Heck, I charge $100 per 45-minute lesson and I don’t provide any of these extras. I think I better start offering candy and water from now on. How I wish that my body too was very skinny and nice to lightly grope.
Save the date for the first ever international young professionals Shabbaton in beautiful Beverly Hills, California sponsored by Beth Jacob Congregation, the largest Modern Orthodox community west of the Mississippi. This event is open to young Jewish professionals across the globe.
Enjoy the Shabbaton with M. Gary Neuman
Renowned rabbi, psychotherapist, speaker and New York Times bestseller author who appeared for the 11th time on
“The Oprah Show” as part of her Most Memorable Guests Show.
Oprah referred to Neuman as “One of the best psychotherapists in the world”
Additional exciting attractions include:
– A visit to the Santa Monica Pier amusement park
– Beautiful Shabbat services and delicious meals
This is an opportunity to meet young professionals from all over the world!
Event open to ages 21-35. Click here to register
As the Orthodox seek jobs and housing in other areas, they are increasingly interacting with mainstream Israelis who see their strict code of religious practice to be coercive, and a threat to Israel’s democracy.
“It’s a slippery slope. What starts with women boarding the bus in the back because of modesty can end up with women not voting,” says Mickey Gitzin, the director of Be Free Israel, a nonprofit that promotes religious pluralism. “It could turn Israeli society into a segregated society in which women don’t have a place in public life.”
In the past week, public outrage peaked following a TV report on the harassment of an 8-year-old girl by ultra-Orthodox men, in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh. The men spat on the girl and called her a prostitute for dressing in a way they considered to be immodest.
That spurred thousands of people to demonstrate against the segregation of women on Tuesday, Dec. 27; a counterprotest two days later ignited clashes in Jerusalem and in Beit Shemesh.
Haredi rabbis of Beit Shemesh said the women of their community observe modesty rules voluntarily because they are for women’s honor and Judaism orders the separation of men and women in the public sphere.
Hello, my name is Luke Ford. I studied daily for three years at the Alexander Training Institute of Los Angeles to help myself and others to lead a better life. Just as the way you drive your car affects the way it functions, so too the way you drive yourself affects the way you function.
Alexander Technique is a way of noticing how you respond to stimuli and letting go of those responses that don’t serve you. For instance, most people respond to stress by compression. They feel like if they just diminish themselves, other people will hurt them less. But that doesn’t work. We can scrunch ourselves and other people are no more gentle with us. By contrast, when we learn to expand into activity by letting go of our interfering tension patterns, we think and feel more clearly and move more gracefully and our friends and co-workers are relieved to be around someone who’s tranquil and poised.Life is hard, but we can learn to be gentle with ourselves while simultaneously meeting our responsibilities with ease and joy.
When most people age, they get caught in a tightening strait-jacket of their own habits until the tasks of daily life like driving, reaching into a refrigerator, or working at a computer become difficult. This is not necessary but it has become the default trajectory for Westerners. When I see friends click a mouse or lift a beer or project their voice across a room, I notice that most of them tighten up, compress and pull down on themselves in these simple acts, thus setting the stage for pain and possibly surgery down the road.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Most people can learn the basics of Alexander Technique within a few lessons and begin to notice and to let go of destructive habits of needless tension.
I charge $100 for a 45-minute lesson. With package deals, the price can go down to $50 per lesson.
Luke Ford 264 S. La Cienega Blvd. #1417 BH, CA 90211 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 310-388-0814 Phone: 323-528-5814
I get this email: “An oriental woman arrested for prostitution. The business is still open a year later. My friend lives behind it and sees the traffic. It’s open 10 AM-10 PM. There are internet sites with report about the services provided there. Did I forget to mention that its located next to Beth Jacob Congregation? Corner of Weatherly and Olympic.”
I did some searching and ended up at BeverlyHillsAcupressure.com. The website read: “Everhealth Spa: 9016 Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211”
I checked out the prices and they were most reasonable: Half an hour was only $40, full hour was $60.
According to Manta.com: “Everhealthy Medical Center Inc in Beverly Hills, CA is a private company categorized under Health Services. Our records show it was established in 2004 and incorporated in California. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $5 to 10 million and employs a staff of approximately 50 to 99.”
And what are the services offered? According to Manta.com: “Wake Health Services, Swedish Health Services, Children’s Special Health Services, Northwestern Health Services and Legacy Community Health Services.”
That sounds wholesome.
They’ve apparently been in business for seven years, so they must be doing something right.
The spa offers many different services – Swedish massage | body relaxation | Sports massage | Deep tissue massage | Reflexology
According to the website BeverlyHillsAcupressure.com: “Experience all Asian massage bliss! Whether you suffer from stress, back pain, or simply want to having the incredible feeling of ultimate relaxation, let our beautiful masseuses give you a massage you’ll never forget. Our all Asian masseuses are trained in Chinese Acupressure, Swedish deep tissue/ hot oil massage and foot reflexology. We offer an amazing massage in an elegant soothing environment that you would expect to find only in Beverly Hills. However, our prices are extremely reasonable. Please visit us at your earliest convenience. We are open 10AM-10PM seven days a week. Hope to see you soon, and remember if you expect the best you’ll only find it in Beverly Hills. You won’t leave disappointed!”
1. We are located on the left side of the Dentist office, two blocks east of Doheny Blvd., on the south side of Olympic Blvd. Push the buzzer and the gate will open.
2. Follow the brick path, through the court yard.
3. You’ll soon see the stairs. Come up the stairs to our entrance.
I wanted to get some reader reviews on the Everhealthy Medical Center.
“Grand Opening. Nothing compares to our all Asian girls. Come experience the ultimate massage in the Ultimate surroundings. Plush, clean, sumptuous surroundings. Soft music, warm oil, and a beautiful girl to give you the body rub of your life. Sixty minutes $60. Open 10AM–10PM everyday. We (Everhealth) are located upstairs behind the dental office. 9016 Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills 90211. (310) 553-2988. Expect the best. You won’t leave disappointed!
“Close to the hotel, so a buddy of mine and I venture out. Place closes at 10 PM, we get there after 10, and take half hour. I saw Anna. No table shower (I wouldn’t call the place plush, either, but it WAS clean), but we get down to a nice massage and finish. My buddy finishes before me as it turns out, so after I get a pleasant release I lay 60 on the table (40 to enter). Anna is not happy..”your friend gave 100″. I tell her get the extra 40 from him. We walk out and he tells me how his girl got naked (Anna didn’t, God knows I tried) and he had a great time. I didn”t feel so bad leaving the 60 tip after that.”
On rubmaps.com, Roger rates a provider by the name of Jessica five stars. “Nice Lady Chinese with Braces! She entered the room said hello, could tell I showered before I arrived so no need for that they have no shower anyway. I undressed and waited for her arrival.We started by simply standing next to each other, lightly caressing and me barely kissing her neck and shoulders.”
Voltaire rates Cece one star: “Cece was actually the worst AMP experience I’ve had all year. I went in and actually chose her for her cute looks. We get in the room and she asks me what I want. We agree on half hour and she tells me she’ll give me forty mins and I hand her $60. On the start she does well, a good tease and I have high hopes. On the flip she demands to see the tip, I ask for HE and offer $40 and she gets pissed. Starts huffing and puffing but agrees.”
Leggo gives Cece three stars for her massage: “Stopped by the other day. Was walked into a room by mamasan. As soon as Cece walked in, I grabbed her *** nice and good just so we were in the understanding. She walked out and I undressed and laid down on the table. Performed a soft sensual massage.”
BBJTC rates Tiffany five stars. “2nd time here. This time I must say, it smelled. Not sure like what, just kinda funky. Almost left. Glad I decided to stay though. First the mamasan was offering, and been there done that, was so-so, but then I saw a taller, younger, fuller, cuter gal named Tiffany there. It was late, she looked ready to leave, but wasn’t at all bothered by my visit. She showed me my room and left so i could get ready. She came back and i was still clothed.. told her i was a little nervous. She relaxed me with some jokes and easy conversation, so we got down to business.”
PS. Soon after I published this post, the whorehouse closed down for a few days. And then it returned. And then it closed again.
"This guy knows all the gossip, the ins and outs, the lashon hara of the Orthodox world. He’s an [expert] in... all the inner workings of the Orthodox world." (Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff)
