Posture is not position. It is the way we organise ourselves from moment to moment to deal with whatever is in front of us.

 

What People Say

Every once in a while something you said will come into my mind and I stand taller for a minute – and I know the difference, which is huge.  Anjali Puri, Homemaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Posture Is – and Is Not

Posture is the way we organise ourselves from moment to moment to deal with whatever is in front of us.

It is

  1. fluid and dynamic.
  2. changing from moment to moment.
  3. affected by our feelings and moods.

 

Child running showing fluid dynamic support in his muscles

Made to Move

It is not

  1. a pose.
  2. a position.
  3. static and unmoving.

How many hours a day do you, or anyone you know, spend just sitting or standing and ‘having good posture’?

 

Lack of fluid dynamic support - man sitting slumped in chair with elbows resting on knees

Feelings Affect Posture

 

 

 

How Can We Improve Posture?

Definitely not by trying to force ourselves into ‘correct’ positions. That is only adding more tension over what already exists.

We can improve posture by

  1. letting go of underlying patterns of tensions.
  2. allowing muscles to work in the way they were meant to.
  3. accessing the fluid dynamic support system in our muscles.

How Can the Alexander Technique Help?

With the Alexander Technique, you learn to

  1. become aware of underlying muscle tensions.
  2. release them, in stillness as well as movement.
  3. allow your muscles to support you in the best way possible.

Activities You Can Try

Perhaps you’d like to try some activities for yourself?

  • You can start with Active Rest, which is a way of lying down that can rest and refresh you.
  • If you want to explore further, check out Things to Try. The activities here will give you an idea of what Alexander Technique work is like.
  • You can also opt for lessons.  At the moment the only option available is online lessons, because that’s the only safe way! Go on to Online Learning to check the details and see what your options are.
  • Prefer an introductory lesson straightaway? Contact me to book a lesson – online, of course!

Our bodies work as a whole unit, not in separate bits, and we will compensate for tension throughout our whole structure. (Carolyn Nicholls)