• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Don’t Stand Up StraightFive Alternative Posture Tips Based on the Alexander TechniquebyLeland VallCertified Alexander Technique Instructor New York, NY
What is your idea of good posture? Responses I hear all the time include standing upstraight, standing with “good alignment” and imagining a string pulling your head up.This question is important for improving postural habits because clarifying your understanding is the first step toward feeling more comfortable in your body. Thefollowing posture tips rely on the intrinsic structure and dynamism of the body and arebased on the Alexander Technique. They won’t change your posture on their own, butthey might help you think differently about your body.
1 Don’t stand up straight.
What do you think of theplumb line alignment imageshown here? It often seemsright at first, but most peopleeventually say it feels stiff andthat it doesn’t relate to theflow of movement in actuallife. It also lacks anysuggestion for transitioningfrom standing straight, tomoving or other positions.
2 That string is misleading.
Many people suggest thinking of a string attached to the top of the head. Again I wonder how this relates to movement and the countless positions we use where we are notstanding straight up. Where does the string go when you bend? But mostly I don’t likethe idea of something outside of my body holding me up, even as a metaphor.
3 Posture and movement are inseparable.
People often think of posture in a static sense but really the body is never static. It ismore accurate to think of movement and posture as a single idea. Your posture goeswith you everywhere and does everything that you do.
www.freeyourneck.comPage 1 of 2©2010 Leland Vall
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...