All living things need energy to function; the ability to find, store and utilize energy is an essential survival skill.  But the fundamental importance of energy extends well beyond the bare minimum of survival itself.  The manner in which energy is used plays a major role in shaping the quality of life of each plant and animal.  Put another way, the energy efficiency of each living organism largely determines the well being and effectiveness of that organism.  Because of [...]

Happy or Sad?  Our posture paints a portrait. People are fascinating creatures, and I spend a lot of time observing them on my walks around New York City.  But it isn't really the people I'm observing so much as how their posture paints their feelings.  Often, I'll pass someone and think, "I know just how that person feels right now."  Although it's dicey to imagine I can grasp the mood of a total stranger by glancing at their movement [...]

The Covid-19 pandemic is once again leading to soaring numbers of infections and deaths worldwide.  Since Covid-19 attacks our ability to breathe, this crisis demands that we learn what breathing is and explore the intimate connection between breathing and posture.  Understanding this connection should allow us to improve the quality of our posture and our breathing simultaneously.  With our well being hanging in the balance, the Alexander Technique is the perfect vehicle to embark on this important effort.  The [...]

The Poor Posture Epidemic Meets the covid-19 Pandemic The covid-19 pandemic is severely testing our society. Those who remain healthy and employed -- and can work from home -- are lucky indeed.  However, growing numbers of these fortunate people suffer from needless pain, strain and tension induced by their own poor posture. Poor posture was already at epidemic levels before the pandemic began.  Yet covid-19 "shelter-in-place" orders have amplified our society's preexisting posture problems.  Many office workers have been [...]

People everywhere appreciate what they deem to be "good posture," but news reports indicate that the North Korea has taken this appreciation to an extreme.  The message seems to be, "Watch your neck when employed by radical dictatorships." Crime and Punishment It seems unbelievable, but a certain Vice Premier Kim Yong Jin, 63, was executed in July with an anti-aircraft guy for having a "disrespectful posture" (Huffington Post) or, alternatively, "for not keeping his posture upright" (Reuters) at the Supreme People's Assembly in June.  Mr. [...]