Applied Alexander Technique Blog

When you are centered and grounded in your body you are centered and grounded in your Self.

Do you want to try and prove it to yourself?

Try slumping in your chair. Let your chin come rest on your chest, if your neck will stretch that far. Let your arms fall into your lap. Let your back collapse.

Now try and sing The Star Spangled Banner in a bright and sprightly voice. It doesn’t work very easily.

It is hard to be up when you’re down.

And it’s hard to be down when you’re up.

One of the things I tell all my students is, “Wherever you are, you’re Up!”
That’s because in Alexander terms, “Up” means up the spine and out the top of the head. Therefore, “Up” is a relative term to you, wherever you are. And given that, then truly wherever you are there is an Up and it is within you!

We literally cannot separate mind from body, and mood and mind and spirit are intertwined.

Think about someone who is happy. What do you see? Are they smiling? Are the corners of their mouth turning up? I bet they are not frowning and tears are not rolling down their face. It seems simplistic, but it’s very true. We read people by their expression and also by their body language, and we do it all the time.

Continue reading " Wherever You Are, You’re Up! " »

Posted by Dana Ben-Yehuda | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Alexander Technique , Applied Alexander

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Would you like to carry yourself with poise and presence?
Learn more about the Alexander Technique.

Download my brochure in PDF format. It describes key benefits of the Alexander Technique and offers reference information and testimonials.

Posted by Dana Ben-Yehuda | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Free Classes & Literature

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Give me a call if you are interested in setting up a talk or demonstration for your group.

Some of the local businesses where I have offered demonstration/ workshops include:

San Jose State University, Department of Music
Palo Alto Unified School District
Camino Medical Group, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Support Group
East-West Bookstore, Mountain View
Whole Foods – San Mateo and Los Altos
Borders’ Bookstore, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale
Avenidas Senior Center, Palo Alto

A sampling of classes that I've taught:

Alexander Technique and Multiple Sclerosis
Better Balance
Special Class for Computer users
Free Your Neck
Constructive Rest
Ease Your Back

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Posted by Dana Ben-Yehuda | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Free Classes & Literature

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We started talking about what happens in an Alexander lesson. One part of the lesson is often done standing, or sitting in a chair. Another part is done lying on a table, or a “table turn.” We also call this Constructive Rest.

Generally speaking, it’s the second part of the Alexander lesson. However, there’s no hard and fast rule; you could begin the lesson with a table turn.

How does this happen?

I’ll have you lie on your back on a padded table, with your knees bent and feet placed flat on the table. Your head will rest on a couple of paperback books. This is to keep your head from falling back and compressing your neck. Generally, you’ll put your hands on your stomach, so your elbows will be slightly away from your body. This work is done fully clothed. I do ask that you remove your shoes, so you might like to wear warm socks.

Continue reading " An Alexander Technique First Lesson, Part Two " »

Posted by Dana Ben-Yehuda | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Alexander Technique

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Would you like to find out what happens in a first lesson? I’ll try and explain it in a 1-2-3 process.

First of all, we sit down to talk for a couple of minutes. I’ll reiterate that I am not a physician and I do not diagnose or treat illness or injury. However, I still want to understand what issues are of concern to you so I’ll ask you to tell me about them.

Next, I might ask you to do a simple activity such as walk around the room, pick up an object (phone, etc) and put it down, and take a seat. This gives me a chance to observe you in movement and notice how you move when you sit and stand. If you wish, you could bring a musical instrument or a tennis racket or a golf club and I’ll observe you using it.

Then the learning begins.

We’ll work together, using a chair or perhaps walking about. I’ll use words as well as gentle, hands-on guidance to help you begin to move differently and also to understand what it is that you are doing that perhaps is connected with the problem you’re having.

For instance, many times the first thing that happens when you begin to move is tightening your neck and snapping your head back. This is part of a pattern of compression that is often at the root of many physical ailments.

Do you want to find out if you do this? Here’s a way you may be able to notice on your own.

Continue reading " An Alexander Technique First Lesson, Part One " »

Posted by Dana Ben-Yehuda | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Alexander Technique

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