Definition: Primary Control

Alexander used the term 'Primary Control' to refer to the way in which our Head Neck Back relationship is a primary influence and dynamic organiser, for the co-ordination of our whole body mechanism.

In Alexander Technique lessons we can learn to become aware of how we interfere with this relationship through habitual patterns of tension, contraction and ‘mis-use’.  We then unlearn those habits and ‘inhibit’ them, so allowing the Head-Neck-Back relationship to re-establish itself and function as it is designed to do.

Alexander discovered that his vocal mechanisms worked best when he stopped pulling his head back and down, which also shortened his whole stature.  Alexander found 'that to lengthen I must put my head forward and up. As is shewn.... this proved to be the primary control of my use in all my activities'.

F M Alexander ~ The Use of the Self p.14