Following up from yesterday, think of allowing your head to float freely on top of your spine.* Now think of different body parts and how they interact with that float-like balance. The interaction might be more or less obvious, depending on what you are doing. You can trace the connection from your head, through your spine and all the way to the soles of your feet, or knees, elbows, pelvis, shoulders. Everything in our bodies is connected, constantly interacting and rebalancing.
*did you know the point your spine meets your head is located just behind your ears?
📖 I tried to observe this theme during my dance class, which was quite fun but difficult. I found it more helpful to keep one simple thought in mind. The neck is the place that receives tension first. A gentle reminder to keep it soft, allows the head to rebalance better, and untangles a series of other muscular tensions in the rest of the body.
What I found the most interesting was the quietening of the mind that came with that thought. As a person that associates improvisation with a certain degree of internal panic, I find this extremely helpful. Keeping tabs on myself through this thought, quietened down the panic, leaving more brain space available to make quick choices and adjust more creatively.
Thanks to my blues teacher @ewandances for exploring the theme together!
10 minutes of mindful movement a day 🍂
For the month of October I will be posting a different thought/theme each day to bring some Alexander inspired mindfulness into daily activities.
To follow along, simply
🚴 Choose an activity. It can be the same one or different each day
(the more inconsequential and boring the better)
🔍 Use the activity as an opportunity to explore the theme
📖 Take note of anything interesting (I will be sharing some of my own notes/observations as I follow the themes too)
If you have any questions, thoughts, observations, disbeliefs, challenges, I would genuinely love to discuss it, so feel free to reach out.
Disclaimers:
1. These are some thoughts I have found helpful during my Alexander journey. They are definitely not all the technique is or has to offer.
2. ⚠ Health and Safety ⚠
Don't choose an activity that requires you to handle a vehicle or sharp object, or can put you or others in danger.
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