Alexander Technique workshop raising funds for the Restoration of the Church Bells
The Workshop took place at the Union Inn and Tom kindly provided the function room and coffee and tea throughout the day, free of charge. Tom also donated !0% of the cost of the lunches to the Church Bell Appeal.provided
There was a general consensus that the workshop was interesting and informative and 6 of the group have been inspired to take their learning further. As a result 4 week course has been organised and is being held in the Church Cottage from this Friday. This course is now full, however if anyone is sorry to have missed this opportunity I will be pleased to hear from you and can organise another to follow on.
The day raised £260 for the Church Bell Appeal which a drop in the ocean from what we need for the renovation. However, Every little helps, maybe someone else could offer a day workshop in a different discipline? Drawing , Painting, Dance, Singing… there must be lots of talented people out there!
Here is some feedback from group members discussing the learning that took place during the day.
Most people were very surprised when they discovered where the head sits on top of the spine (directly behind the nose) and how heavy the head is.
The weight of the head, how it is pivoted and the impact of taking it forward in front of the body provided enlightenment. Especially to those who tend to bend their heads forward from the 7th vertebrae and suffer back , neck and headaches from doing so. ( the 7th vertebrae in the neck is part of the spine and designed to be flexible but not bent.) We often look down when we are placing strain in the back and neck thinkingLooking straight ahead so that the head is not pulled forward and down which is where i get trouble
One group member , an engineer, commented on how interesting it was to discover that the body can be in compression and tension but that it is possible, with time and with the help of gravity to be in harmony.( ie toned rather than tense and releasing away from the ground , reducing compression.)
‘Thinking, not doing’ was a core discussion topic as when learing the Alexander Technique you are encouraged to use your thoughts to release, rather than actively stretching to release tension. Members practised using their thoughts in this way and whilst dubious at first, found it really is possible. They learnt to stop and think carefully about how they would move rather than just jumping up subconsciously
Paperback books placed under the head when lying on the floor, in active rest, were valued for achieving a lengthening of the spine , and were considered to be surprisingly comfortable.Specifically how we can sit and stand more efficiently and effectively if we stop the habitual response and think about the way our bodies have been designed to sit and stand, bending knees and hips and not using the neck to pull us out of the chair
Stop, Think about what impact the activity may have if carried out in a habitual manner. then cosideing the best way to carry out an activity and dont worry about what others think Ball game… doesn’t matter if we drop it… why do we fret so. Three in One oil in the shoulder joints
Getting down and back up from the floor without causing injury and then and lying on the floorand learning active rest rather than relaxation releasing tension that has built up around the joints. Getting up is easier than I thought it would be will practise this at home ITs I’ve learned what it feels like to stand and move in body balance.
Softening and releasing the neck