I have written numerous times in this blog about posture and the Alexander Technique.  If you were to ask me now, "What is posture?" I would reply that posture does not exist. This seems absurd until one realizes that the word itself is an obstacle, a trap. It's a trap because, as kids, we hated adults telling us our posture was "bad" and to sit up straight.  The nagging only inflamed our resistance, and this resistance made sense since [...]

To my own surprise, I've now spent ten years working as an Alexander Technique teacher.  It has been my privilege to support dozens of students on their journeys toward pain relief, posture improvement, reduced tension, and personal growth.  As gratifying as our collaborations have been, I'm well aware of all the other people who need the Alexander Technique but who haven't studied it.  And because the AT offers so many practical benefits, I'm keen to support those "new people" [...]

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 [...]