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Alexander Technique and the Power of Thinking — 30 Comments

    • That’s great, Louise. And I completely agree with you on Constructive Rest – it quietens the mind and body, and once I’ve let things quiet down, I can think with much more clarity.

  1. Stopping to think of about I use my body has changed my entire life. I’m no longer have poor self-esteem and poor appeitte due to a small body image.

  2. I have made major changes in my life by changing my thinking. It is getting easier the more I focus on awareness of my thoughts and my behaviour or habits. Stopping to analyze and redirect energy really does work!

  3. I love thinking about ways I can put/keep my thinking in alignment. I just had a nasty email exchange with a woman who has been renting my downstairs room for the last few months and have been working with a lot of intention to keep myself out of a victim mind set. Watching what those does to my body has been a fascinating curious study and reminds me that as I align my body my thinking changing, as I refocus my thoughts, my body changes.

    • It is interesting to observe where the mind (and of course the body with it) goes when we find ourselves in a stressful situation. Your awareness, and ability to observe helped you not get stuck in your first reaction. You yes, being present to our body and breath, can help change our thoughts – it’s all completely interconnected!

    • Glad to have you here, Yvonne. Maybe you could start with just noticing the differences in your body when you feel afraid, or happy, or nervous, for instance. Strong emotions very often come with strong bodily manifestations. The Alexander Technique is best learned in person, but my hope for this blog is to provide some useful information people can work with on their own.

  4. Our minds and bodies are really part of the same unified psycho-physical self. So, emotional struggles are evident in our postural behaviour, and postural habits in turn generate poor emotional functioning. Is Alexander Technique a replacement for psychotherapy?

    • Harold, it definitely sounds like you are knowledgeable about the Alexander Technique. While I would never suggest the Alexander Technique should replace psychotherapy, it is very true that as old habits are released there can also be an emotional “letting go.” It could certainly be a very useful adjunct to it for some people.

  5. There is a lot of pausing and clearing of the mind in yoga, which I practice regularly. It’s so helpful to not just do it, but rather think about it first and then do it. Or better yet, think about it, clear your mind, then do it. It’s so easy to forget the mind/body connection. Thanks for the reminder, Imogen.

  6. Does it ever go the other way? I know when I have not done some sort of exercise that I get ‘foggy’ brain. I start getting antsy and I can’t focus as well. I guess it doesn’t matter which way it flows, it is still the mind/body connection. One affects the other.

    I love all your information. I am really learning a lot.

    Candace Davenport
    http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message

    • Absolutely! Food for thought – no activity is entirely physical or entirely mental. One of the differences when you’re exercising, maybe, is that you have to be present mentally to what you are doing physically with your body. It’s likely also that you breathe better and more fully when exercising – and oxygen, I believe, is a good thing for the brain!! 🙂

  7. Absolutely. I’m working regularly on changing my mindset. Just did a workshop on that very topic and am working daily on refocusing the unconscious thoughts that have misdirected me all my life to the life I want and can have. The mind and the unconscious is a very powerful tool

    Susan Berland
    http://susan-berland.com

  8. Love the ‘fire head’ image! I also appreciated the thought that we must clear away the older patterns that no longer serve us in order to lay down new patterns. The most powerful “pause” or “constructive rest” that never fails to shift my body and mind is prayer.

  9. Being mindful is such a key skill to have and to practice for so many different pieces of overall health. When I truly decided to focus on my health and just made the decision, the rest of it come easily. It was changing my thoughts – and truly believing them – that was the hardest part. I find that even today, when I am being mindful, I am healthier. I sit up straighter, I am more certain to get enough rest and I eat much better.

    Jennifer Peek | Small Business Strategist
    Find Your New Groove
    The Freedom to Build Your Business Your Way

  10. Our bodymind is so powerful! We shouldn’t be surprised that the mind can affect the body, but it’s easy to forget. Being mindful in the way required is often hard for me, but it’s something I’m working on. My body appreciates it! I really love learning about the Alexander Technique–definitely a potential good fit for me.

    Judy Stone-Goldman
    The Reflective Writer
    http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
    Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

  11. Being aware, mindful and intentional in both our thoughts and our body is so important, but so easy to forget in this busy world of ours. Alexander Technique was definitely the way in for me.

  12. Pingback:New Year’s Resolutions – How can the Alexander Technique help? | Body Intelligence

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