Read Belle Magazine’s recent article about Sara Sommers and the Alexander Technique.  Click  here

Have you ever vacuumed your car at one of those Express Car Wash venues?   The clock is ticking, the hose is twisted and you are a contorted wreck rushing  from floorboard to dashboard to back seat?  Some days feel like an encounter with an unwieldy vacuum cleaner hose.  Frantic.   Resistant.  Impossibly over-scheduled.  Still, why do we think we can master them if we  just yank a little harder, squeeze a little tighter, muscle a little more effort?  It’s like wrangling with the coat hangers in my closet.  The more I pull, the more they lock.

Our bodies work the same way.  Ease up on the coat hangers, and they spring loose from one another.  Let go of the squeezing between the shoulder blades and the lower back muscles release.  Let the neck muscles release and the jaw unclench and there is more room for an expansive breath.  Stop tugging on the vacuum hose and remarkably, it loosens easily.

We can do the same thing.  If we just give ourselves the time.

Recently, I was driving to an appointment, late (as usual), and harried.  The clock on the dashboard of my car glared at me like a scolding parent, shouting with every pulse, “You should have left earlier!”  I made a conscious decision not to look at it.  Picking up where the clock left off, every stoplight I encountered screeched “red” and sent another rush of frustration and tension into my fiercely gripping hands.  Why is it that when we are late or pressured or anxious, we seem to heap more pressure and tension upon  ourselves in the form of chastising muscle tension?  My shoulders hike, my fingers clinch, my jaw squeezes as if additional muscle efforting will somehow make me get to my destination faster!

The more I practice the Alexander Technique, the more I notice how much I need to practice the Alexander Technique — especially when I feel like I’m out of time.  I “buy” time now in the form of space.  Granting ”grace space” by thinking differently,  I  realize I am not doing myself or the person I am meeting any good if I arrive to the destination a prickly pretzel.   Things to think about the next time you are out of time?  Are your  fingers overgripping?  Can you let your fingers loosen around the steering wheel?  Are you clinching your jar? Can you find  room between upper and lower teeth, length in your throat?  Are you squeezing your  thighs and buttocks?  Can you think thigh muscle releasing away to the knee?

Time is still marching.  I just don’t want it to beat me to a pulp.  How about you?  Let me know if you find these tips helpful.

Standing for long periods of time can be challenging.  Just this past week I had the pleasure of timing a swim meet.  For those who are unfamiliar with this task I will offer a word of explanation.  Timing a swim meet is a bit like torture.  You are locked in position at the end of the swimming lane, standing for at least 2 hours at a time on hard concrete with the singular responsibility of depressing a stop watch at the beginning and end of each racing event.  As the time marches, you notice your lower back aching, your shoulders tightening, your feet swelling.  You watch your fellow timers twist and stretch periodically, sympathizing with their movements because you know they are trying to relieve the stiffness.  But, if you are a practicing Alexander Technique student, there is hope!

Here are some pointers: Free your neck!!  Let go of the muscles deep within the nape of your neck.  Let the jaw release and the head bobble like a bobble-head.  Think — how lightly can I stand?

Widen your stance.  Periodically, gently lift one foot and shift it slightly forward of the other foot so that your weight is newly distributed.  Notice if you are locking your knees, or overally tightening the thighs.  See if you can release the muscle holding down your legs.

Let the tail drop!  This is a biggy!  Letting the pelvis release can relieve pressure in the lower back.

If you have particular standing challenges, feel free to email or call me.  I’d love to hear your thoughts and concerns!

What if today you found a little space between you and your to-dos.  Physical space.  Can you find a little space between you and the counter-top as you slice vegetables?  Can you find a little space between you and the steering wheel as you drive?  Can you find a little space between you and the door knob as you open your front door? Granting more space between ourselves and our physical task can help reduce over-efforting and tension and may also  promote a fresh perspective.