Results tagged “use” from Hilary King's Blog

Poise and Posture

When we are children, most people have a beautiful easy poise, as is illustrated in this photo of a little girl sitting on a giant snow seat. Despite the obvious cold, the child is sitting easily and in a relaxed manner, whilst many adults would be bent over and tensed up against the chill!

There are many influences in our lives that get us interfering with our natural poise. Our attitudes and emotional experiences are reflected in the way we use our bodies and our minds gradually tend to become rather set so that our view of the world - and our physical responses to it - become rather fixed and habitual. Stress, peer group pressures, accidents and illnesses all play their part in moulding our habitual body use and many of us end up crumpling our bodies down into ourselves - whilst others over-extend and arch their backs in an attempt to 'stand up straight' - both of which pull us off our balance and poise.

Fortunately, F M Alexander realised that we are able to reduce some of these effects if we are willing to let go of habits of thought and behaviour that interfere with our natural use. During Alexander Technique lessons, we can learn how to do this and in so doing, regain much of the fluid, free and poised way of being and moving that we had as children and feeling more comfortable in ourselves.

You may read more about Alexander Technique classes here.

'Skeletons - London's Buried Bones'

If you are interested in how your body works plus how your posture, the way you use yourself and live your life, can leave it's mark on the structure of your bones, you may want to visit the              'Skeletons: London's Buried Bones' Exhibition that has just opened at the Wellcome Collection.

The skeletons on display are from the Museum of London's collection of 17,000 skeletons that have come from people who lived and worked in the London area over the last 16 centuries.

This exhibition looks at the events and health hazards of the day, that affected people's lives and their skeletons. There will also be a day of activities for all ages and a public debate about why the dead are useful to study.

Perhaps seeing the wear and tear on all those bones, may encourage us to be more aware of our own body use, right now, so that we change some of our unhelpful and even damaging habits and learn to do as much as possible to look after our own skeletons!
 
Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road

Date:   23 July - 28 September

Info:     http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitionsandevents/exhibitions/skeletons/index.htm




  

Ellen Graubart a local artist who, incidentally, is familiar with the Alexander Technique, held a solo exhibition which was well worth going to see. You can read about Graubart and see some of her work if you visit the URL below. I'll let the photos of the paintings speak for themselves but will add that they are even better in reality. It was an exciting and vibrant exhibition.

 Art exhibitions are a time when many people end up with back ache, because they are standing for long periods without being aware of the way they are using their bodies. Looking up above eye level to see a painting, without awareness, can contribute to the problem if we contract our neck and the muscles in our lower back. This can create problems such as a hollow back, putting pressure onto the lumbar vertebrae and discs, which causes discomfort and even back pain.

So take yourself to art exhibitions and remember all you have learned in Alexander lessons; be aware of your use, look after your neck and back so that you remain freely poised and pain-free.



Sailing 2 - Ellen Graubart



http://www.millineryworks.co.uk/

Would you like to go on some walks and meet other people, socially, from the Alexander community? Would you like to talk about your experience and application of the Alexander Technique, with people other than your teacher?

This will also be a chance to think about your use and how you walk in 'real life'. Do you, for instance, tend to pull down towards your feet and just 'push on', particularly if the path is muddy? Or are you mindful of your use and allow your head to lead you into movement with freedom and ease as you look around and see how spring is progressing along the way.

These walks have been arranged for the Friends of the Alexander Technique and anyone who has had Alexander Technique lessons .

If you would like to join in, please contact Kevin:

atwalk@kevinsaunders.co.uk or phone 07815 797 645.

In the event of bad weather the walk might be shortened.

You can find details here:

http://www.atfriends.org/ATFriends10.htm#Alexander_Technique_London_Walks_

http://atlondonwalk.blogspot.com/