- Back Pain
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Posture
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Stress
- Whiplash
Sitting Can Damage Your Health
The Health Hazards of Sitting
People who sit more are at greater risk for herniated lumbar discs. A muscle called the psoas travels through the abdominal cavity and, when
it tightens, pulls the upper lumbar spine forward. Upper-body weight rests
entirely on the ischeal tuberosity (sitting bones) instead of being distributed
along the arch of the spine.
But we do need to sit on our sitting bones! The main illustration in the article, of the slumped woman, does show too much weight going through the rear part of the sitting bones, which is not helpful and would be likely to cause lumbar back pain. However, if the pelvis were realigned to be more upright, the weight could be distributed through the spine, then transferred through the pelvis and into the central part of the sitting bones, or into the legs if standing.
Strangely, the illustrations showing people the ‘correct’ way to sit and stand, omit showing the pelvis and sitting bones altogether, so the person appears to be finely balanced on thin air and the tiny coccyx.
“There’s No Such Thing As A Right Position” FM Alexander
It is so easy to fall into wanting a quick fix and assume that standing or sitting up straight for sensible amounts of time and then taking exercise, will solve all problems. Well, while this strategy may help a bit, it’s quite possible to sit and stand in a rigid manner, for instance, which can build up tensions, restrict our breathing and may lead to other problems in the future. Stiffening like this is tiring and people usually can’t keep it up for long.
As Alexander himself put it when teaching:
“I am putting into gear the muscles that hold you up, and you are putting them out of gear and then making a tremendous effort to hold yourself up, with the result that, when you cease that effort, you slump down worse than ever”. (FM Alexander Aphorisms)
So it is not just about the positions we sit and stand in, but the manner in which we use our bodies during our activities that makes the biggest difference of all. We can learn to be aware of our body use, gradually putting our muscles ‘into gear’ so we find an easier and more balanced way of sitting and moving around that enhances, not damages, our health.
Applications of the Alexander Technique: Luggage
Everyday Activities:- Pulling a Case or Trolley
- Do I hold the luggage handle at the right height for me?
- Do I twist my torso as I drag the luggage behind me?
- Do I pull down on one side of my body?
- Do I rush through stations and airports tensely, carelessly, or with awareness?
- Do I grab the luggage, or thoughtfully take hold of it – and how do I lift it?
- Do I remember to stop and think before pulling or lifting something heavy – am I evenly balanced with a lengthened spine when I move or lift?
Improve Your Sleep
How Much Sleep do We Need?
Alexander Technique Helps Accidents and Shock
Using the Alexander Technique Helps with Accidents and Shock
Elisabeth Walker
Elisabeth Walker ~ December 1914 – 17 September 2013
will be buried at Westmill Woodland Burial Ground on Friday 5th October.
Alexander Technique Videos
YouTube as an AT Resource
Body Flexion in Alexander Technique
Body Flexion – Used When Fishing
The term ‘Monkey Position‘ is used in the Alexander Technique to describe a way of bending forwards by flexing the body, bending the knees and folding at the hip joints so that the spine can continue to lengthen rather than curl and shorten. It’s a great way to bend forwards, whilst making sure we protect our backs.
Grow Taller Using the Alexander Technique
‘I was taller after my Alexander lesson!’
Sitting with Poise
Can we sit like this child?