photo by Bruce Fertman
When an investigation comes to be made, it will be found that every single thing we are doing in the work is exactly what is being done in nature where the conditions are right, the difference being that we are learning to do it consciously. – F.M. Alexander
There lies the rub. Conscious naturalness is virtually a contradiction in terms. As soon as we become conscious of our breathing we immediately begin interfering with it. Consciousness is a double-edged sword. It can free us, and it can stifle us. In our attempt, as Alexander teachers, to understand, embody and impart naturalness to our students we sometimes, unbeknownst to us, begin manifesting certain artificialities.
We can, at times, become a bit stayed, crusty, overly starched and pressed, like the beautiful white shirts my grandfather once wore. Sometimes, rather than simply occupying ourselves, we be become preoccupied with ourselves. Giving so much attention to the subtle relationship between our head, neck and back, we can become top heavy, losing our full ground support.
Inadvertently, in our quest for poise, symmetry, and calmness, we can hamper our spatial, gestural, and emotional freedom. It’s not easy being consciously natural. It’s understandable that sometimes we fail. In this workshop we’ll take a look at what some of the antidotes might be for countering these unwanted side effects.
If you are an Alexander student, trainee or teacher I hope you will join me.
Bruce Fertman
Founding Director of The Alexander Alliance International
