Photo: B. Fertman

Bruce Fertman is a colleague whose work I love. He writes beautifully, capturing the subtleties of the Alexander Technique in a way that most teachers, including me, rarely do. He recently published an article on ‘The top ten myths about the Alexander Technique’ which, just as expected, is an excellent read. I am sharing Bruce’s thoughts here because they are so valuable, I have also added my thoughts about his thoughts! To comment on all ten at once would make a very long read so this is one of a series of blogs dedicated to ‘The Top Ten Myths about the Alexander Technique.’

Myth One – The Alexander Technique is about posture.

Reality (Words by Bruce Fertman)

The Alexander Technique is about un-posturing. The problem is that we are continually posturing, most often unconsciously. The Alexander Technique is about becoming an un-postured person, that is, unheld, unfixed, flexible, movable, not only physically, but as a person in general.

My thinking

I agree with Bruce wholeheartedly and think the words

‘unheld, unfixed, flexible and moveable’

are great descriptions of what I am aiming for both using the Technique myself and when teaching.

I am also aiming for

ease and flow within the body as a whole.

Question – So why do I use the word ‘posture’ in my marketing and discussions about the Technique?

Answer – Because it is the thing that my clients most often mention when they first contact me, and I see it as essential that we begin our work together using a common language. However, I couldn’t agree with Bruce more – reducing habitual patterns of holding and fixing to allow us to become more flexible and moveable is the basis of the Alexander Technique. It is that work that gives us a sense of ease and flow within our whole bodies. Who wouldn’t want more of that?

If you would like to read all ten myths you can find them here https://peacefulbodyschool.com/2020/02/11/the-top-ten-myths-about-the-alexander-technique/?fbclid=IwAR2E1qiIAVRvC1GWFEaZEZng3PP3YJKOU4OnN1TBfOTOQ5GOJMaXuECGeAU

Bruce is also an excellent photographer; the images within this blog are the same ones he used in the original article.

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