This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Performing Musicians and Exercise, is published in a PDF format. It shows the performing musician how to exercise without causing wear and tear to the body or compromise the quality of their performing technique.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
There is a study that came out recently that found that Tai Chi done regularly lowers blood pressure more over time than aerobic exercise.
There were no conclusions or reasons given why, but it did go against what the medical profession had believed, that aerobic exercise is the best structured activity to lower blood pressure and keep it down.
The most obvious reason to me is that doing aerobic exercise, like riding a stationary bike or running, can be pretty frantic.
What do I mean?
I’ve observed people in the gym on the bike or running, and a whole heck of a lot of them hunker down and work hard at getting a really good aerobic workout, to get their heart rates up, and to create deep breathing.
IF A PERSON WORKS OUT WITH A FRANTIC SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET A GREAT AEROBIC WORKOUT, THEN AREN’T THEY STRESSING OUT AS THEY DO WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEIR HEART, LUNGS, AND BODY?
In other words, they are using fear to motivate them, and doesn’t doing something in a bad way, even if the activity is inherently healthy, negate the positive benefits of the workout?
Tai Chi is USUALLY done without pressurizing yourself to move with grace and ease, to get the benefits of a pure movement form.
Now, let’s take a look at doing Tai Chi or aerobic exercise from the Alexander Technique perspective.
What is it that Alexander Technique brings to the table that is so uniquely Alexandrian in its way of doing Tai Chi or riding a bicycle?
THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE OF APPROACHING EXERCISE OR TAI CHI DOES NOT FOCUS ON GETTING THE ACTIVITY DONE, WE FOCUS ON HOW TO DO IT, SO THERE IS ONLY PHYSICAL BENEFIT, NO EMOTIONAL STRESS AND NO EXCESS TENSION THROUGHOUT THE BODY (NOT HUNGERING DOWN).
What I just said applies to Tai Chi as well as aerobic exercise. Why does this also apply to Tai Chi?
Because, a person can do Tai Chi hunkered down with excessive joint tension, attempting to do the movements right, get them perfect.
IF A PERSON DOES TAI CHI OR RIDES A BIKE OR RUNS WITH THE FOCUS ON EASEFUL POSTURE, AND WITHOUT COMPRESSION IN ANY OF THE JOINTS OF THE BODY, OR EXCESSIVE MUSCLE TENSION, THEN HE WON’T STRESS OUT THE BODY OR THE MIND.
The Alexander Technique teacher is extraordinary at teaching the client how to exercise or do a movement form without sacrificing the body to GET IT DONE.
The final question is, is Tai Chi or aerobic exercise better for lowering blood pressure? In the study that was done, the difference in lowering blood pressure was better for the Tai Chi practitioners, BUT NOT ALL THAT MUCH DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TWO.
SO, I HAVE A FEELING THAT IF YOU DO AEROBIC EXERCISE OR TAI CHI APPLYING THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE PRINCIPLES OF GREAT POSTURE AND GREAT TECHNIQUE WITH EASE IN ALL OF THE JOINTS, THEY BOTH MAY BE EQUALLY BENEFICIAL TO THE TAI CHI PRACTITIONER OR THE RUNNER OR CYCLIST.
THEY BOTH MAY LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE EVEN MORE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE.
