I sit to write my article every morning, just letting ideas flow like a river. And those of you who don’t write use computers. Computer users take note!

I asked my class how many spend most of the day on a computer and almost everyone admitted that they did.  Whether in IT, teacher, in an office or at home, even the youngest of students…..

…….computers rule the day! We cannot ignore this fact.   Read more here about computers and ease: http://alexandertechnique.co.nz/who-benefits/computer-workers/

Now, my student asks me can I help her find an easier way to write (read ‘use computer’); she usually ends up with a sore shoulder and a numb arm/hand.

I ask her to write, I give her pen and paper, a table and chair.  She writes!

She doesn’t notice how she contorts herself in her wish to write, she’s so engrossed.  I ask her… do you know ‘how’ you are doing what you are doing as you write.  She answers… I hold the pen, I lean forward a bit, I start writing.

In these words lies the big dilemma!

What’s missing is the attention to the many micro-parts of Self that are in play even just to get the hand to the paper!  I joke not.  The deep sense of our whole creature Self.   In modern speak — the essence of the Neuro-Muscular Self.

Humans have always wished to improve in whatever skill or activity.  In the 1950s the ‘Royal Canadian Air Force Exercise Plans for Physical Fitness’ was very instrumental in making exercise popular.  In the 1980s huge corporations made The Gym compulsory for their employees.

These days the concept of fit = healthy is a commonly held belief.  Although it might assist some to strengthen, there is a mass of back pain/shoulder pain sufferers who remain quiet because they have tried exercise in every form without success.

So what’s the missing link?  Simple!  Just the JOURNEY of the activity to freedom from pain!

Extract the wrong from the activity to get the ease we all want in our everyday living…computing, writing, singing, and all!

Reminder to the students of the class!  ‘Body’ your mind before you start your activity!

So here I sit. My first thought is — not to dive into the writing but to make a plan to be in my “body mind”.  To ‘wholeness’ myself before I even think of writing.

It has large benefits I now notice — after writing for the last hour and a half. 

1. I begin with a clean page and a clear mind.
2. I have little to no tension and definitely no pain to distract me.
3. As I continue to write, this ease continues so I can stay focussed longer.
4. Lastly, when (if) a niggle creeps in again, I get immediate feedback/warning to stop! Break! Re- ’body’ mind myself.(Literally get back to my base!)

The best part…. I get to the next activity still whole, healthy and at ease.

Practice this whether you are at the computer or gardening, driving your car, sitting at your desk particularly or anything you do.  You can only be your own prize winner.

This is for you.  For your every day.

Hey my good reader, email me how it works for you.

And by the way, as I promised you in class… go here for a list of recommended Alexander Technique books available.

And have a happy day!
Jann

If you want regular tips/emails add your name

Here is your check list for every day, every moment, no matter what you are doing…

 

   – – – –  Keep your body and your eyes moving at all times. A key is not tightening. A free neck equals a free arm equals free poise! Alexander Technique in action!

   – – – –  Vibrant action with free flowing movement gives easier results.   Move your body and the day will also move.

   – – – –  Dynamic breathing, everything moving as it needs…in time to the body’s tempo.

   – – – –  Limbs move to the tune of your actions; alive and responsive.  Let yourself flow to your own inner music…!

   – – – –  Respond to your thoughts… now a pause, now a new decision. Barking up the right tree for a change. Keep you on your toes….

   – – – –  Trust your sixth sense. Be your inner guide

   – – – –  Don’t worry about going wrong! There is no wrong in your life. Only your experience.

   – – – –  Live bold!  Live with confidence!  Your inner sense is alive….Release it!

   – – – –  And most of all have fun. Let your ends reveal your true means of poise and your own self belief.

How is that? Tell me about it!

If you want tips and info regularly go here

 

What might be a habit or ritual that you have every time you move, react or anything that is getting in your way, causing you problems?

Trouble is, because you have done it so often or for so long, you might not even recognise it as a problem at all.  It just happens, just like breathing!

It’s the sort of thing that you might only recognize as an ache or discomfort.

I have one daily ritual that I (even) look forward to!  My coffee fix!   Yes, coffee at the local mall and doing the crossword.

In fact rewarding yourself eases a long day!

For me, having a home business I can work any time, even in the evening, so it works for me.

I walk there and back not taking the car to the mall.  I am doing a bit of exercise too!

The other day, I took the car!  Yes! It was just too wet to venture out even with an umbrella.

Enjoy the ride I told myself — tomorrow its back to normal!

Mission accomplished, I started back home.

We had walked a short distance from the entrance; rain now stopped.  Hubby asked why I was walking past the car!!  Oops!  Egg on my face!

Such is the power of habit that being on automatic is way easier than not.

I’m sure similar things have happened to you.  They happen to everyone.

I reckon ritual is to some extent a good and necessary part of life.  You wake up.  You look forward to your first ritual — breakfast, shower or whatever is yours.  That kick starts the day. The trouble comes when the ritual becomes set, any change is a potential disaster waiting to happen.

Ok!  So what is to be learnt when this you get to this?

Firstly, it is possible to go wrong ANYTIME!

With being wrong, acknowledge it.

Accept it is time to stop, to take a pause, assess the situation.

Only then, make a decision.

In life the only one definite certainty for change is what we can do to ourselves.

It is impossible to change another person, or anything else in the universe.  But for you to change you, there is absolute certain possibility.

Your only possible reaction is your response to your stimulus.

Whether you are stuck all day behind a computer or in traffic; or rushing to your next appointment, or any of the trillion activities we all face daily………

There are three ways you can respond to any situation that is causing you tension, pain, loss of your natural abundant energy. 

You can choose…….

1. To carry on as if nothing has happened, hoping it won’t happen again.
2. NEVER park the car outside the mall again (in my case that is of course).
3. Make a plan to ensure that certain steps are taken that makes error impossible. eg. my keys go in different place than usual (ritual).

So often people say to me “How can I remember to not do what is unnecessary ritual?  I don’t want to do what is doing me no good!”

The more you can stop; really stop before action.  Think.  Then make a new decision, the more you can change your automatic reaction

……to what you DON’T want in your life.

Try this:

1. Decide one activity you want to change your response to and follow the steps above.
2. See just how often you can catch yourself before you do it.

If you haven’t already done so, hop over to my Facebook page and LIKE it to get a wealth more information for singers.

Have a question about vocal training, voice techniques, performance/anxiety or any interest you would like written about: ASK JANN