The Short Answer
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What is the Alexander Technique? The short answer:
The short answer: We react to a specific situation by getting ready to do the “next thing” even before we are aware we are getting ready — the brain is always processing sensory information subconsciously and preparing motor responses. These automatic responses are largely unconscious and often involve patterns of tension and stress that we aren’t aware of and that are detrimental. The Alexander Technique teaches how to refrain from doing our old, automatic, habitual reactions, and taking the time to think about a better way to react.
On a Conscious Level
How you approach your everyday activities changes how you respond to the world
Whoaa! What does that mean? How does it work?
The principle is simple:
Normally, we react to a stimulus by getting ready to do the next thing. Usually, the “next thing” is an automatic and largely unconscious reaction, and often involves patterns of tension and stress that we aren’t aware of. The Alexander Technique is a method to refrain from doing our old, automatic, habitual reactions.
Instead, we learn to
- STOP
- THINK how we would like to carry out our next action.
Specifically, in step 2, we use a kind of ‘directional thinking’ developed by F.M. Alexander and proven for over 100 years.
That seems straightforward.
Tell me again WHY I should learn the Alexander Technique?
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