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Tag Archives: unnecessary tension
What Goes On In A Typical Alexander Technique Lesson?
I charge $100 for a 45-minute lesson. If my student is in pain, I’ll typically have him lie down and I’ll use my hands and my questions to help him notice patterns of unnecessary tension and to let them go. … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique
Tagged Alexander Technique, harmful habits, notice patterns, strait jacket, transformational systems, unnecessary tension
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When You Feel Like You Must Get Something Done Right Away, What Does That Do To Your Physiology?
Most people respond to thinking they must accomplish a task quickly by shortening their stature, tensing and compressing their necks, taking shallower breaths, their heart racing, anxiety flying, and overall going into a version of the fight or flight reflex. … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique
Tagged alexander technique teacher, congress papers, f m alexander, international congress, stat books, unnecessary tension
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What Does A Free Neck Mean?
A foundation of Alexander Technique is freeing the neck of unnecessary tension. There are more joints in the neck than anywhere in the body. A joint means a bone connected to a bone. With all the joints in the neck, … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique
Tagged Alexander Technique, fundamental instructions, muscular effort, physical effort, stiff neck, unnecessary tension
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Learning To Exercise More Efficiently And Safely
Robert Rickover talks with Malcolm Balk, an Alexander Technique teacher and author in Montreal, Canada. I interviewed Malcolm a few months ago after taking one of his running workshops. Malcolm: “Alexander Technique is a method of becoming aware of unnecessary … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique
Tagged alexander technique teacher, malcolm alexander, neck muscles, pound dumbbell, robert rickover, unnecessary tension
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How To Sit Comfortably
Ann Rodiger is an Alexander Technique teacher in New York City and the author of How to Sit Your Body at Work: A guide to sitting at your workstation based on the Alexander Technique. Robert Rickover interviews her. Robert: “A … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique
Tagged alexander technique teacher, alexander technique teachers, c berkeley, computer terminals, ergonomics, headaches, robert rickover, unnecessary tension, workstation
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John F. Kennedy’s Bad Back
The new miniseries “The Kennedys” (available on instant streaming at Netflix) shows President John F. Kennedy struggling with a bad back. In episode four (10:36 in), he does a classic Alexander Technique exercise — semi supine aka active rest. He … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique, America, Politics
Tagged alexander technique teachers, dr feelgood, kennedys, left shoulder, max jacobson, president john f kennedy, supine, unnecessary tension, york physician
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Letting Go Of Resentment
I went to a meeting the other day, arriving five minutes early. On the door was a notice that the building was closed for maintenance for the next two days. The door was locked. I left. Arriving home, I sent … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique
Tagged body tension, facial muscles, letting go of resentment, muscle tension, strong belief, unnecessary tension
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Wow!
I just looked at myself in the mirror and smiled and released the habitual compression I usually hold around my eyes. Wow! My face just jumped out at me — alert and inviting! Who wouldn’t want to get close to … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique, Personal
Tagged bridge over troubled water, forehead, genuine smile, lips, unnecessary tension
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When Our Beliefs Are Just Muscle Tension
I heard something hard to swallow from an Alexander Technique teacher — that all of our beliefs are just unnecessary muscle tension, and that when we let go of that unnecessary tension, we let go of our beliefs. I’ve always … Continue reading
Posted in Alexander Technique, Personal
Tagged alexander technique teacher, civilizing mission, ethical monotheism, muscle tension, sturm and drang, unnecessary tension
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