Dear Friends, Does this ever happen to you: You sit down to meditate. Within 30 seconds you receive messages of distress and discomfort from your body-brain. Something else is needed, and this isn’t it… What can you do when the practices you rely on don’t produce the calming effect you so desperately need? I’ll answer … Read more
Alexander Technique wisdom for your nervous system Do you feel conflicted about what to say or do in the presence of suffering? It’s impossible to know what will or won’t exacerbate the pain. This is true when witnessing other people’s struggles, but also in witnessing our own. Witnessing what’s going on without judgement takes emotional … Read more
What embodiment has to offer positive psychology Can you believe I’ve been made fun of for my peculiar ability to enjoy myself? Apparently, a default sense of wonder and awe towards moving bodies makes me a bit of an eccentric. I’m ok with that, and now research is catching up with me. Nothing makes me … Read more
A somatic approach to Alexander Technique Constructive Rest Constructive rest is a deceptively simple, transformative embodiment practice. It was invented and adapted by generations of Alexander Technique teachers who want their students to practice on their own. The first generation of teachers trained by F.M. Alexander (from 1931 – 1955) developed “lying down work” to … Read more
5 steps to freedom from habits of negative self-judgement Have you ever found yourself in scary loop of self awareness and negativity? Something about you comes into your awareness, and your heart sinks. This starts an often unconscious “trying to fix it loop” that makes you miserable. There’s the visual version of this, when you … Read more
How acceptance leads to resilience I’m not well today. I’m not one to say “look on the bright side” without being sarcastic. However, I’m noticing this latest bout of COVID has given me a chance to express one of my core values: embodiment starts with self-acceptance. Relying on friends and loved ones for help, rescheduling … Read more
Mobility first, flexibility second Did you end up deepening your meditation practice during the COVID pandemic? Hello! Me too. Sitting for at least 30 minutes every day posed some surprising challenges for me, and I’m a person with lots of body knowledge and a long history of consistent practice with my body. I’m a body … Read more
Trying to stretch or mobilize only your cervical vertebrae may backfire First of all, a reminder that registration for the upcoming Better Boundaries Workshop closes this coming Tuesday, September 13, at midnight. There are 4 spots left. You can find a detailed description of the workshop HERE, and if you are ready to register, go HERE. Now, … Read more
Healthy boundaries make life so much more fun! When do you move cross them, when do you stay inside them, when do you stand in front of them looking through to the other side? Unfortunately, if you can’t feel them, you literally won’t know when they’ve been crossed, and you can be very vulnerable to burnout.
This weeks blog post is for everyone who has ever wondered: Why is my neck so tight and what can I do about it? Many of us spend more than half of our day focused on a small screen for one reason or another. That narrow focus shrinks our visual field, stiffens our backs and necks, and make us feel like we are in a straight jacket.