Exercise

This ebook, Yoga and the Alexander Technique Principles of Good Body Use, is published 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 do the asanas with great poise, posture, ease, and release.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)

A long time ago when I was still playing concerts on my guitar, I came to the realization that I HAD TO TRUST REPETITION OF THE MUSIC I WAS MEMORIZING FOR A CONCERT.

What do I mean?

When I was playing concerts I believed as a solo classical guitarist, that I had to play a whole hour and a half concert by memory, which is what I did. It was expected at the time, but the sheer terror of memorizing the music was making me crazy.

I’d play the piece a few times, then I’d test whether I had memorized it yet. If I hadn’t, I’d frantically play the piece over and over a few times, and then test if I had memorized it. This was making me crazy!

THIS WAS AN INTOLERABLE SITUATION! My fear was intolerable.

What did I do?

I had to find a way to practice for 5 to 6 hours a day to get the concert memorized and performance ready without going mad from the fear that I wouldn’t get the music memorized.

So, what I did was play sections of the pieces over and over for 50 times and NOT TEST MY MEMORY TO SEE IF I HAD MEMORIZED THE SECTION OF THE PIECE, UNTIL I HAD PLAYED IT 50 TIMES.

This was an act of faith.

What do I mean?

I trusted that if I allowed myself to play a section of the piece over and over f 50 times, that at the end of of the 50 times, having not checked to see if I had memorized the section, that it would be memorized, or at least close to it.

Did it work?

YES!

Or at least darn close, so I was able to complete my memorizing without fear, knowing I was going to get it done after I had done this high repetition a few times, and it had worked.

Why did this work, other than the obvious answer that I had played it over and over 50 times, at times more than once?

IT WORKED BECAUSE I HAD ALLOWED MYSELF THE LUXURY OF PLAYING FOR HOURS AT PEACE, WITHOUT FEAR OF FAILURE. I DID THE REPETITION WITH FAITH THAT I WOULD GET THE MEMORIZING DONE, WITHOUT PRESSURE AND FEAR.

THE MUSIC WOULD MEMORIZE ITSELF!

At the time I had not done the Alexander Technique, but what I did was very Alexandrian.

What do I mean?

By my practicing for hours WITHOUT fear and NOT continuously testing myself, putting myself under the gun, the physical tension level in my body was dramatically lower. I wasn’t hurting myself physically and mentally to get the music memorized.

This can be applied to any instrument or any sport. REPETITION WITHOUT TESTING allows you to learn what you need to learn to perform or compete without fear you won’t get the job done.

When you add the principles of great body use and great technique according to the Alexander Technique, then you really are focusing on the means to the goal WITH FAITH.

You’re not frightening/threatening yourself and harming your body to win or perform beautifully.