Alexander Technique Terminology Part 1

As I said last month, there is not much in the way of terminology that is needed for understanding the Alexander Technique. Last month I explained some terminology like direction, primary control, conscious control, and inhibition. Now it is time for use, ends, means-whereby and body mapping. These terms are more related to the concepts that you encounter when taking Alexander Technique lessons.

Use and Mis-Use - These refer to a person’s overall state of condition. This is the quality of any activity they carry out. The patterns of mis-use tend to everything you do. For example, when a person stands up they are likely to tighten their neck muscles unnecessarily and are likely to repeat the same thing when they speak, walk or even use a computer. The Alexander Technique teaches a student to identify these patterns and how to stop creating.

Ends and Means-Whereby - These terms emphasize the importance of the process of learning. An example of this is when a student decides to stand up from a chair, their goal or end is to stand. A teacher will show the student how to do it while at the same time paying attention to and improving the way or means-whereby they stand up. This process helps to awaken a student’s self-awareness.

Faulty Sensory Awareness - This is one of the main goals of the Alexander Technique teaching process, to help a student learn to accurately sense what it is they are actually doing. These are the patterns of posture and movement that a person has that feels right to them. Because of years of mis-use, they inaccurately feel they are standing up straight.

Body Mapping - Students systematically learn a few key anatomical relationships using their own body as a field of study. This helps students to correct mis-maps they have of their own body. For example, the location and function of key joints like the head and neck joint and hip joints. Many people think that their hip joints are at their waste when they are considerably lower. Because of this idea, they unconsciously try to move as if movement was taking place where no joint is located. The consequence of this action is extra strain and limits on range of motion in its ability. An accurate body map can lead to major improvements in use and function of ones body.

Well, that is all the terminology that is associated with the Alexander Technique in New York. The technique truly is helpful. Many students who have gone on with their lives have said they feel like they are walking on clouds. And others say they have never felt so much freedom of movement. Do your own research and check out the Alexander Technique.