Everyday Alexander

More and more I'm beginning to appreciate the fact that the way to optimise the use of Alexander Technique skills is to use them in the most ordinary actions in our lives. This is not to say that it has no relevance in specialised fields; it certainly does, and often can make the difference between being able to continue in work, and being forced out of it.

But even for people who are looking for help in specialised fields, the best way to get it is to use it outside of the area of expertise.

That really makes sense - it's the same habits that we use in daily life, that we take into computer work, music, dance, theatre, riding or anything else. Only we would use them a lot more strongly in the area of expertise because the stakes are higher there.

It's also easier to start this way - the old habits are so deeply integrated into our expertise that just thinking of it would be enough to start them functioning. Ordinary acts are not linked in our minds with such high stakes, and so we're better off challenging ourselves there.

Two AT teachers have written about how we can misuse ourselves in the routine actions of our lives ... the ones we do with our minds on other things.

Don't Fight with Carrots - We wouldn't think chopping veggies in the kitchen for a nourishing stew would give us RSI, surely? Yes, it certainly could. The thing is that it gets worse when we take the same habits into working at the computer. Ease up at the kitchen counter, and we'd probably be able to do ease up at the work desk.

The kitchen is 'the perfect place to practice the Alexander Technique', - Alexander Technique in the Kitchen - because it's usually not a very high stimulus environment. However, we still tend to use too much force to wash, cut or grip, or to reach for things. Staying gently aware of the way we're doing our kitchen chores is a perfect Alexander opportunity to release, lengthen and widen.

Integrating these skills into our daily routine gives our Alexander practice a sound base in reality. From there we're then free to expand into the areas of our choice.