by Brooke Lieb (originally published here)

One hallmark of Alexander’s work was his recognition that the way things feel is not a precise measure of what is actually going on.

I would guess that if you ask anyone who says they don’t have the best posture, they would tell you they don’t feel whatever it is that allows them to know they don’t have the posture they want. Their posture may be comfortable for them, or they may have discomfort, but the familiar arrangement of their posture itself doesn’t feel wrong, so they don’t know what to change to improve things based on what they feel. More likely, they know their posture doesn’t match their idea of “good posture” because of something they can see.

When I began lessons as a student of the Alexander Technique, I came to appreciate that the way things felt was not my best tool for changing my comfort level, gaining coordination and skill at my endeavors or figuring out how to reduce or eliminate aches and pains.

The challenge is that every activity of living happens alongside constant bodily sensation. You cannot selectively mute bodily sensation the way you can close your eyes, block out sound, or hold your nose. Our other sensory channels can be modulated to a much greater degree than bodily sensation. Even when you receive novocain at the dentist, you still feel pressure in the area, just not pain.

Consider the role that bodily sensation plays in everything you do and experience, from movement to mental processes (math, reading comprehension, decision making) to experiencing emotional states (we call them feelings, after all!). Throughout your life of learning, the sensory experience of everything is part of how we learn and repeat what we are capable of.

Teaching inside of this fact of the constancy of sensation is an ongoing puzzle to be solved.

Another insight Alexander kept in mind in his work was how oriented we are to being right, which means we are also oriented towards feeling right. That is why some of the bodily sensations of more efficient, poised action (mental and physical) can seem unfamiliar, odd, or even downright wrong.

So how do we work with the constant presence of bodily sensation?

My thinking these days is along these lines: Sensation can be useful in assessing changes along a continuum; but is not static and consistent, so is not as useful in confirming accuracy.

Rather than looking for the right position, I can find a more efficient position.

Rather than looking for the right vocal sound, I can look for an improved vocal sound.

Rather than looking for the correct response, I can look for a more effective response.

Here are some continuums to use, and you can create your own:

Lighter/heavier
Freer/stiffer
Easier/harder
Calmer/tenser
More Distracted/more focused
Happier/Sadder
Better/worse

Continuums allow for change. Absolutes have less movement in them, literally and conceptually.

Applying this to Alexander self- and guided work:

When you practice Alexander directions, experiment with how long you spend in the active thinking process before you observe what your bodily sensations are.
Observe your bodily sensation before and after you spend time in the active thinking process.
Set a timer for 30 seconds, then 1 minute, then 2 minutes.
Make note of what changes you observe after the different time frames.

Alexander is attributed as having said that by the time you can trust your feelings, you won’t want to.

N. BROOKE LIEB, Director of Teacher Certification from 2008 until 2018, when ACAT ceased operations, received her certification from ACAT in 1989, joined the faculty in 1992. Brooke has presented to 100s of people at numerous conferences, has taught at C. W. Post College, St. Rose College, Kutztown University, Pace University, The Actors Institute, The National Theatre Conservatory at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Dennison University, and Wagner College; and has made presentations for the Hospital for Special Surgery, the Scoliosis Foundation, and the Arthritis Foundation; Mercy College and Touro College, Departments of Physical Therapy; and Northern Westchester Hospital. Brooke maintains a teaching practice in NYC, specializing in working with people dealing with pain, back injuries and scoliosis; and performing artists. www.brookelieb.com