The Alexander Technique, as described in the January and February issues of the Opus, is taught in private lessons to musicians. The benefits of lessons are pain management, stress reduction, and performance enhancement. As students study the technique, they gain greater awareness of their patterns of coordination. Many of these patterns may feel right to them, but actually may be the cause of their pain, strain, and performance difficulties.

The good news is that we develop awareness of a new and better coordination when we study the Alexander Technique.

The Primary Control

But what is this better coordination? To answer this question we need to look at some specific habits. Retraction of the back of the head into the back of the neck is a fundamental fear response in humans. Most of us develop a habit of retracting our head into our torso either before we begin any movements or as a permanent postural state. In either case, we have impaired our optimal functioning. We are constantly interfering with the proper relationship of the head, the neck, and the back. And we aren't even aware of this habit!

Alexander coined the term Primary Control to define this important use of our head, neck and back in all of our movement. Alexander used the word primary because the correct use of our head, neck, and back is a prerequisite for proper functioning in humans. The word control is used because the head, neck, and back provide a controlling influence on the whole person.

         Next