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But we are proud to say that Elyse Shafarman contributed 142 entries already.
Q: “Is your next Alexander Technique Class at Berkeley Rep School of Theatre appropriate for me or should I seek private lessons? I’m interested in learning the Alexander Technique in order to reduce bodily tension and change lifelong poor posture (I’m 57, with no chronic pain). I’m not, however, an actor.” A: This class will […]
Are you wondering if your neck is free? Check your breathing. If your breath is flowing easily and clearly discernible at the nostrils, the chances are that your neck is free. The instant you begin to wonder, “Is my neck free?” you’re already tightening it to find out. That said, it never hurts, even if […]
How many different ways can you sit? How many different ways can you stand? The top row of this poster, “Think Outside the Chair“* might give you some ideas for ways to vary sitting and standing poses. If you have the latitude at work, don’t limit yourself to chairs. Stand up, sit on the floor […]
Today, it seems as though the Alexander Technique is about absence of conflict in the body and in the mental-emotional landscape. I suppose I’m thinking about peace, poise and equanimity, but it feels more subtractive than additive. For a short period today, the usual struggle with everything went missing. My bones were not arguing with […]
Lie on the floor and pretend you are a single cell. Roll, flow, seek and react with your entire cell membrane. Remember you have no bones, no eyes, no brain and no parts. You are one. We usually introduce the amoeba exercise* to our acting M.F.A. students in their second semester. They’ve had five months […]
Students often wonder how the light touch of an Alexander Technique teacher can communicate so much. Simultaneously, you might experience a wave of relaxation, an emotional sense of being seen and accepted for exactly who you are. Suddenly your breath becomes easy and your spine seems to grow tall. When you move to walk around […]
2014 has been marked by learning, study and inspiration, all stimulated by the discovery of The Liberated Body Podcast. Host Brooke Thomas is the Terry Gross of the Podcast world. Through Brooke, I have been introduced to a world-wide community of somatic researchers. Thank you Brooke! A few high points include: Interviews with Tim Anderson and Geoff […]
1. Move. Vary sitting and standing positions. If you are working at home, try sitting on the floor or even lying down. 2. Set a timer. Check in with yourself at least once every hour. Ask yourself: “What am I doing with my body right now? Hone in on the particulars of what you are […]
Alexander Technique uses the power of the mind to guide physical change. Where our thought goes, our body tends to follow. You can relax into effortless spinal length by using your imagination. You don’t need to do anything muscularly. 1. Imagine the head delicately nodding yes to clear the space at the back of the […]
Distracted? Worried? Bored? Noticing body sensations and adding helpful directions is an easy way to coax yourself into better postural habits and an easy way to come back to the present moment. From time to time during the day, ask yourself these questions: What am I doing with my shoulders? Am I scrunching? Can I […]
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