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Alexander Technique Help for Computer Users – Part 3: Don’t Lose Your Head! — 33 Comments

  1. Great exercise to check one’s head position. When I work at the computer, I try not to sit too long. I like to get up and move about every 15-30 minutes, otherwise, I lose awareness of my alignment. Usually, I am reminded soon enough, when my upper back and neck begin to ache. Thanks for this clear description and practical exercise!

    • Thanks, Maureena. Yes, it’s great to get up and move as often as possible – though for some that it is not very often… Remembering that we don’t have to be “stuck” or “set” even as we sit, to allow flow and motion as we sit, is extremely useful.

  2. Great tips, as always, Imogen. I manage to tie myself in literal knots while sitting at the computer. I twist my legs around each other, torque my torso, jut my head forward – it’s awful! I’m finding my posture is much better when I move away from my desktop computer and use my laptop while sitting on the couch. My spine is straighter, my feet are planted flat on the floor and I don’t think my head juts forward as much. It’s definitely an improvement for my head and neck. Thanks, Imogen – I will try to incorporate your tips into my desktop routine.
    -Cory Zacker
    http://www.mosaictutoring.com

    • We can certainly get ourselves into all sorts of contortions!! Interesting that you end up more comfortable using your laptop – maybe you’re not in the “this is work” mode as much when you’re on the couch with your laptop, so are more relaxed as you work… Sounds like you are building some good awareness of yourself as you work 🙂

  3. Oh such a good post for me. I find as I am working on photos and the details of them, I get closer and closer to the screen, instead of zooming in like I should. This is a helpful reminder of where my head should be! Thank you

  4. My chiropractor agrees with you! I have been suffering from some muscle problems in my right shoulder and upper back because of all the hours I spend on the computer, and as I read your blog here I realized that I am not in balance. I do know better, but just forget and I probably don’t have the best ergonomic set up, either. I have also been told to switch to a ball mouse but keep forgetting to do that, too! I appreciate your posts, and am going to try to be more mindful, especially now that I am experiencing some pain because of my bad habits!

    • I’m going to include some ergonomic considerations in a later post, Donna! What’s more important, to me, is having a better knowledge of how to use our own body – so I feel that has to come first! Without that awareness, even the best ergonomic situation is not going to do you that much good. I’m glad you are finding my posts useful 🙂

  5. Thanks, Imogen. Another perfectly stated, jargon-free explanation of a beneficial way to do an activity we do for hours.
    And thanks for making the Alexander Technique so accessible and practical!

    • Yes – getting the monitor at the right height so we don’t hunch down to look at it can really help with keeping the head balanced at the top, rather than jutting out forward. Ergonomic tips coming in a future post…

  6. lol- as I began reading your post, I was leaning forward, head jutting out, chin on my hand and not on my sitting bones. I am your perfect poster child for this post!

    I loved that rod explanation. It made perfect sense to me. With your instruction, I practiced what to do correctly and at once my right shoulder stopped hurting! Amazing what simple posture can do. THANKS!!!!!

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

  7. So well done, Imogen. I find myself writing constant remonders to myself about this because I’m SO liable to go into the head thrust, not just to look at the screen but to watch the keyboard. I love the image of the rod, (even though I wouldn’t like to have one) because it connect with the pineal gland, so essential for cognition and peace.

  8. My posture has suffered because of my work as a nurse and my work at the computer. This awareness will help me be more award of where my head and sit bones are.

  9. Pingback:Alexander Technique for the Computer User: An Overview | Body Intelligence

  10. I had a belief before starting Alexander lessons that it was impossible to “undo” tension in my body once I sat down at the computer for too long, and then my anxiety level would rise in response to the tension, and my habit was to try to calm down by becoming even more mesmerized by the computer screen, which in turn created more tension and pain. It is a relief to have met my teacher, who helped me believe that I can let go of the tension.

    • I am so glad you found the Technique, Margaret. It is wonderful, isn’t it! And it’s rather astounding that we can, in fact, let go of tension in the most unlikely of circumstances.

  11. Pingback:Alexander Technique Help for Computer Users – Part 4: Legs and Feet! | Body Intelligence

  12. Pingback:Making Friends With My Computer | Body Intelligence

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