Paradoxically, balance is good when it's unstable." - Éliane Lefebvre
We organise ourselves in relationship to space and to gravity through three basic components: balance, posture and movement. In good body use, we enjoy ease and lightness in ourselves, since there is good distribution of muscle tone, and the support for counteracting gravity is handled by the deep-lying muscle fibres, which can work for a long time without fatiguing.
They are the ones that sense our position in space. If this function is taken over by the superficial movement muscles the brain will believe it needs effort to stand up, so it will maintain tiring muscle contraction, making matters worse.
The loss of this delicate play of forces will have come about by our own way of using ourselves. We will have unconsciously put ourselves out of gear. This can be unlearned. The Alexander Technique will uncover the particular adaptations that have upset the natural working of these basic body functions.
The technique will show you that if you can stop the habits that, in Alexander's words, "put you wrong", you will rediscover the freedom you once had. The self-awareness necessary to do this will then act as a permanent monitor to help you stay on course.
