Applied Alexander Technique Blog

Alexander Technique: Prof. Nikolaas Tinbergen's Nobel Prize acceptance speech

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:02:46 -0800

Hello my friends!

Here is a rare find: Nikolaas Tinbergen's Nobel Prize acceptance speech from 1973, for his work in ethology and stress diseases.

Quite a bit of his speech is all about the Alexander Technique; what it is, why and how he overcame his own scientific skepticism, and the results of the lessons he, his wife and daughter all took.

Fascinating slides with before and after photographs of patients of Dr. Wilfred Barlow are about 2/3 through the speech. Dr. Barlow was a noted rheumatologist, who trained with F.M. Alexander to be a practitioner of the Technique.

Nine minutes fly by when the information transforms your life.

Namaste,

Dana

Alexander Technique/ A New Year

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:55:13 -0800

Hello my friends,

Thanks so much for stopping by again. It's always nice to take a moment to say hi. If you are on a personal quest for health and fitness, I'm glad to talk with you. I am very thankful for my own health and do not take it for granted!

Here are some quick highlights of the past year:

- SJSU Dance Dept – Guest instructor

- Journal for California Dental Hygienists Assn (CDHA) I was requested to write an article for this reviewed Journal. The issue was later picked up and republished by the American Dental Hygienists’ Assn. (ADHA.) .) Click on this link to download the article.

- East West Bookstore – a lively talk/demo of Alexander Technique

- Radio interview with Bonnie Coleen on KEST radio. I share some stories about the Technique and the essence of its power for transformation. Click here to listen to the podcast.

Do you know someone who may benefit from Alexander Technique? I am grateful for your referrals. For anyone who's curious to find out if this may help them, I'm offering a free, 20 minute telephone consultation.

with appreciation,

Dana

Good Posture for Better Fitness

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:36:44 -0800

Greetings!

As January is well under way, health and fitness are on many of our minds. Good posture helps with whatever you do. You will instantly look more confident and more slender. It helps with body mechanics and improves your workout results.

According to the current issue of Harvard Medical School Health Beat Extra:

"Good posture trims your silhouette and projects confidence. More importantly, it lessens wear and tear on the spine and allows you to breathe deeply. Good posture helps you gain full benefits from the effort you put into exercising, too."

It's true! Proper form helps you use the muscles you are targeting when you exercise. You will get better results if you use yourself correctly rather than compensate by momentum or using some other body parts.

Learn how the Alexander Technique helps you put your mind into your body. Putting your "sole" into the gym gets you started. It takes consciousness to reap the benefits.

If you're going to put in time, you may as well reap the benefits!

Drop me a line and I will offer a free, 20 minute phone consultation.

Let's get fit and look younger in 2012!

Dana

ABC News: Freedom from Back Pain without Drugs/Alexander Technique

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:21:21 -0800

Hello my friends,

Did you drop in because you saw the news on ABC television, about how to be free from back pain without drugs?

Or are you an old friend who visits now and again?

Charlotte Keenan, a researcher for ABC Action News was looking for a way out of back pain. She came across a report about a method that promises to be drug free and free her from pain. It's called the Alexander Technique. It is moving into the mainstream. Come find out...

She investigated with a reporter's inquisitive mind and she found that it is connected with awareness and retraining how we move.

Easy, right?

Not so simple if you've ever tried to do it on your own. Have you ever tried to change your golf swing? Or maintain good posture while you sit and text from your phone? It's not so easy to do on your own. After all, if it were that easy, we'd all be doing it. Get some input from a pro and your progress will be faster.

Here's a video from ABC Action News
Ali Gorman, R. N., reports that a method is becoming mainstream and appears to be effective:

I am an Alexander Teacher. I help people out of pain. Are you a little bit curious?

Give me a call! I'll give you a free, 20 minute telephone consultation.

Here's to a life in Joy and out of pain!

Namaste,

Dana

International Alexander Awareness Week

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:05:55 -0800

Hello my friends!

The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) Gains National Visibility

Over 600 teachers nationwide, and 3,500 teachers internationally, are reaching out to help people understand how this work helps relieve back pain by 85%, help balance, reduce tension and help people relieve stress, both mind and body. This is the 8th annual International Alexander Awareness Week!

Find an event near you!

I will be speaking at Jenny Craig in Mountain View. The way you carry yourself impacts how you feel inside. Walk Tall! Be Light!

Carry yourself well and feel a sense of your spine in every meaning of the word. When you are centered in yourself, it is easier to make better choices.

Come look 5-10 pounds thinner instantly by improving your posture.

See you at Jenny Craig!

Dana

Be Confident in Heels!

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:50:55 -0800

Hello my friends!

I’ve been working on a program to help women feel better – and look better - walking in heels.

The way you walk, sit and stand delivers an instant message about who you are.
What does YOUR image say?

Now there is a program for women to feel empowered, confident, elegant and sexy in heels. It is designed to work for any level; the principles are applicable to heels of any height. You can start small and grow tall!

Class will be limited to 10 people to allow personal attention, so I encourage ladies to RSVP early. See below for dates and times.

In heels :)

Dana

Pacific Grand Ball and Alexander Technique. What the heck is it, anyway?

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:12:34 -0800

Hello my friends!

This Saturday at the Pacific Grand Ball was wonderful. I had the opportunity to work amongst many good people and see a bit of the most beautiful dancing in the world.

A number of people tried Alexander hands-on. Everyone who tried it, liked it! A short time on the table was enough to feel a change; freer, lighter, easier in the joints and taller, to boot!

More people were curious; what the heck is this Alexander, anyway?

"It's like dancing; try a few steps, try a little gentle hands-on and see."

For those of you who were brave souls, thank you for your trust. Maybe next time, if you weren't one of those people, come for a few minutes and try it!

Imagine releasing your joints into movement rather than muscle through, with effort. And...it feels good. This is a skill that can be learned, and like dancing, it works best when your teacher dances with you so you feel it. This is similar; it works best with gentle hands-on, so you feel it.

Hope to see you soon! Call me and mention the PGB; I'll give you a free 20 minute telephone consultation.

Dana

Pacific Grand Ball - enjoy some gentle Alexander hands-on

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:18:09 -0800

Hello friends and dancers!

The Pacific Grand Ball is coming up on September 24th!

While you're there, you are invited to try some gentle touch, Alexander hands-on and release tension from your neck and back. Restore your energy and renew yourself!
$1/minute, special event pricing.

This is a special offer; sign up at the event or contact me in advance to reserve time.
Most people say that they feel better right away. It's a long day...try it and see!

In health,

Dana

p.s. follow the PGB on Facebook for the latest updates!

Dental Hygienists (CDHA) - Learning to Work Pain Free - the Alexander Technique

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:13:43 -0800

Hello friends!

I am very happy to share an article in the current Journal for the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA).

Click on this link to download the article: Working Pain-Free: The Alexander Technique

Dental hygienists often crouch over people, work under time pressure and are often in pain. This article is about a way of working pain free. Please feel free to read - and share!

Cathy Draper, RDH, MS, and editor of the CDHA Journal, also writes:

"The focus of this issue of the CHDA Journal is pain. Whether you are a clinician, educator or a student, you will find timely information on anesthetic options, techniques and ergonomics to incorporate into your daily practice. Our ability to provide effective pain control can improve the outcomes in the care we deliver and ultimately change the public’s perceptions about oral health and dental treatment. "

Download the full issue of the current (Summer 2011) CDHA Journal. For your convenience: the article on Alexander technique is on pages 22-23.

With appreciation to my dental hygienist who always provides me with compassionate care, and to all dental hygienists everywhere.

In health,

Dana

Alexander Technique: A Balm For Back Pain? on NPR

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:23:41 -0800

Hello my friends!

It is morning and I'm sitting here with my coffee, listening to NPR. Sitting here reminds me that too much sitting leaves many of us aching at the end of the day. Sitting is literally a pain.

Musicians have double trouble; some of them sit to play and all of them use their hands and arms in repetitive motions. There must be something wrong with the way we sit, the way we use our arms, or it wouldn't hurt. It's not supposed to; really, it's not.

Basically, we need to figure out what it is that we are doing that is connected with our pain. Are we slumping? Tensing up and hunching over? Obviously, if we could tell, we wouldn't do it! What are some ways out of this endless loop? Keep reading...for one of them...

Podcast: Conscious Living - Introduction to the Alexander Technique

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:10:23 -0800

Hello my friends,

Have you tried Alexander Technique and struggled to explain it to your friends and family?

Have you heard of the Technique but haven't been able to figure out what it is?

Here's a podcast for you - you can listen online or download it to your iTunes.

Pull up a chair, have a cup of coffee and listen in...

NY Times: for Better Posture/Less Back Pain try Alexander Technique

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:08:41 -0800

Hello my friends,

A recent article in the New York Times (6/24/11) makes the connection between posture and pain. Low back pain is all too common in the United States, affecting some 80% of Americans at one time or another in their lifetime. Mary Ann Wilmarth, chief of physical therapy at Harvard University Health Services, says “Posture is the key."

For better posture, the Times recommends the Alexander Technique, a method that not only improves posture, but also reduces tension and pain.

“The majority of back pain is the result of muscle and ligament strain or weakness, and can often be prevented by developing core strength and proper posture,” said Dr. Daniel Mazanec, associate director of the Center for Spine Health at the Cleveland Clinic. A study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ 2008; 337:a884) showed 86% reduction in pain through 24 lessons in the Alexander Technique alone. Study results were measured a year after the study began, showing lasting results six months after the lessons ended.

Posture is in Your Head

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:13:36 -0800

Hello my friends,

If you're still not clear about how this method for standing up straight without "standing up straight" works, take a look at this quick video.

Lisa Lutton gives a great demo about how thinking differently connects with posture and feeling better.

On WWWL TV:

Empty Hand, Non-Doing, Alexander Technique: a Poem

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:36:08 -0800

One day, I visited the training course and received a gift from a visit six months earlier when I had visited before. One of the trainees on the course read me a poem she wrote from that earlier time.

Attentive yet detached,
Simple, gentle yet powerful,
Doing by non-doing,
Invisible and visible meet
Mysteriously in the
Empty hand…

Naturally at ease in her touch,
She creates a vast space
In which I can breathe
Peacefully and freely...

--Yuko Okada

I am humbled...and grateful. Thank you, Yuko.

Namaste,

Dana

Seeing Beyond - KEST 1450 AM radio - Alexander Technique

Wed, 25 May 2011 23:09:33 -0800

Hello friends,

On the morning before my talk at East-West Bookstore, Bonnie Coleen interviewed me about the Alexander Technique, on her personal growth talk radio, Seeing Beyond. We spoke about the essence of the Technique; what it is and also, what happens in a lesson. Bonnie did a great job pulling stories out of me. I hope you'll listen and let me know what you think!

Hear the talk online by clicking here.

You'll hear an invitation to come to East-West, so please be just a little patient as it begins.

I'd love to hear from you.

Peace,

Dana