The Alexander Technique proposes the integration of all our systems involved in action, through a re-educational process where student and teacher take conscious participation.
The intention is to restore our primary integration unlocking unnecesary tensions in our daily activities and offering a space and time to observe the difference between stimulus and response. This gap allowes us for an appreciation of new possibilities to respond to both known and new stimulus, without unnecessay interference in the performance of our motivated actions.
A fundamental premise of this technique is the unity of being, where body, mind and intention take equally part. Considering the fragmented conception of our person as one of the main origins of unnecesary tensions and disfunctions.
Another effect of this fragmented conception of our being is the end gaining attitude applied in our activities, where our attention is only focussed on our goal without considering the best and most efficient means whereby that goal can be attained. In this process is where the Alexander Technique invites us to develop a consciousness to function in an integrated way, not only to allow us for a real path to our goals but also for tools to transit that path in an enjoyably balanced and efficient way.
The challenge is not to find an adecuate posture or a correct way, those concepts don´t exist wihtin the Alexander Technique. Atention is on the de development of a continuity of our general balance in the way we use ourselves as integrated wholes.
That balance can´t be based on a tense and stressed out way of carrying activities out, and if that is what we are used to, we most probably will repeat that habit in any task we give ourselves, therefore the first step is to stop doing what is not necessary, in the most basic actions of daily life.
In the words of F. M. Alexander himself “ the good happens on its own, if we just don´t interfere with it.”
The Alexander Technique is inviting us to stop and observe, even the actual act of observing, since this as any other activity, is affected by our habits.
Our habitual activity and the patterns produced through the repetition of our ways of doing, also affect our sensory systems, therefore any activity carried out in the habitual way, will feel comfortable and so seem more correct to us than a new way to respond to a known stimulus, since we are used to that feeling, even when it is painful.
It is in the practice of this observation and in consious guide through action, that we can develop an everytime more refined appreciation of what we do and how we do it.
Benefits:
Improvement of atention and sensory appreciation promote a better memory, prevent injuries, and offer more possibilities for making desitions in typically stressful situations.
The better use of ourselves product of a long term practice offer advantage in situations of injury or movement limitation and allowes for a borader physical and mental availability.
" All I am trying to give you is a new experience "
F.M. Alexander