Principle 2: The Whole Self
The Whole Self …or “Psycho-physical unity” in Alexander speak. The second of the principles of Alexander’s Technique is about how the brain affects the body, and the body affects the brain. I think most people today recognise this to be the case, but have you thought about the extent to which it is true? This is a principle that Alexander wrote quite clearly about. Take this quote from “The Universal Constant in Living”, his last book: "The term psycho-physical is used both h
7 Key Principles
I thought I’d use the blog to go over the 7 principles of Alexander’s Technique. Many of you will have heard me address these principles in bits in the lessons, but unless you have done extensive reading on the Technique it’s unlikely you’ll have been introduced to them all. And it helps to know what they are! Principle Number 1: Use affects Functioning This is the overriding principle really – to understand it you need to understand what Alexander meant by “Use”. He was wor
Mindfulness for the Frazzled
I picked up a copy of Ruby Wax's "Mindfulness for the Frazzled" for 50p in the Southfields Library book sale (which seems to be on permanently by the way!). I'm aware that she's not everyone's cup of tea but I found this guide to mindfulness really down to earth and easy to read. So many of the ideas cross over with the Alexander Technique - the basic Alexander instruction "stop, be present in the room" is mindfulness encapsulated really. I know for a fact that Ruby actually
What links FM Alexander to Jim Morrison?
So, here's a bit of a fun post. What is the link between Frederick Matthias Alexander, founder of the Alexander Technique, to Jim Morrison, lead singer with 1960s psychedelic rock band The Doors? Jim Morrison, 1943 - 1971 and Frederick Matthias Alexander, 1869 - 1955 The answer is this man, Aldous Huxley, 1894 - 1963. Aldous Huxley, who most people know as the author of "Brave New World" had lessons with Alexander. In a great article about the relationship between the two men
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