This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Violin Technique, is published on this website in a PDF format. It is very detailed and practical, and it will give you the physical tools you need to take the limits off of your ability to create the accurate violin technique you want without sacrificing your body.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE CAN BE USED TO AFFECT PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL WAYS AND IN EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.
What do I mean?
The Alexander Technique teacher primarily uses the technique to teach the client to do specific activities like sitting or standing or playing a musical instrument or hitting a golf ball, with the most balanced posture and best technique, and with high energy and without unnecessary tension.
The goal of the technique is to reduce wear and tear of the body to a minimum and possibly eliminate it all together. This focus on how you do what you do results in a better outcome, by your focusing on taking care of yourself and not struggling for the results.
SIMPLY, TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF HELPS YOU WIN MORE, PLAY AN INSTRUMENT BETTER, OR EXERCISE FOR THE SHEER JOY OF IT WITHOUT SACRIFICING YOUR BODY.
So, getting back to the title of using the Alexander Technique for psychological, physical, and spiritual transformation – how can it be used in this way?
One of the most powerful tools the Alexander Technique has is INHIBITION. Inhibition is the act of stopping just before you play a violin, run, lift a weight, or sing, and bring the whole body into postural balance externally and internally, and then begin the activity. What you’re doing is making yourself the center of your focus, and you don’t let the activity yank you off balance by your focusing only on the results you want – winning the race or playing the music perfectly etc.
I’m gettin’ there. I’m gettin’ there.
As a psychological and spiritual practice, what if you stopped before you did anything, released the tension in your whole body, found postural balance, and then did what you were going to do?
What if as a psychological practice you released whole body and gently came into postural balance before you made a decision about whether you should say what you’re about to say, or do what you’re about to do that would potentially have a negative impact on someone?
What if you sat in meditation and did a whole body release, so that whether sitting in a chair, in full lotus, or lying down, you consciously released all of the unnecessary activity(tension) in your whole body, bringing your whole body into a high energy dynamic release head to toe?
What this would mean in meditation is you would direct your whole body, a section at a time, to release into balance. The body would then distract you less and less as you released it more and more (mind over body).
Using the Alexander Technique in meditation, means that even if you’re reciting a mantra, you’re in the moment releasing your whole body and not unconsciously tensing up to attain the goal of the mantra. You’re releasing your body into balance, so it doesn’t block what you’re wanting from the mantra – enlightenment or whatever.
Returning to using the Alexander Technique to guide you in your decisions to do or say certain things, what would it mean if you inhibited doing or saying anything, until after you’re not feeling compelled to attack or run away or seize up in fear and/or anger, or do or say something oblivious of your motivation?
What can be scary about all of the above, is the Alexander Technique can give you the tools you need to not do what you always do (have done).
IF YOU DON’T DO WHAT WHAT YOU’VE ALWAYS DONE, THEN WHO ARE YOU?
YOU COULD DISCOVER WHO YOU REALLY ARE!
