Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Postural alignment
Is Alexander Technique, postural alignment? This question was asked of me a few days ago and although the person asking expected a simple Yes or No, they got slightly more than that, after a momentary pause as I inhibited a superficial response.
Postural alignment is rather a simplistic term that could even just involve strapping a pole down someones back. There may be some disciplines or treatments that could offer postural alignment where the practitioner has only a few months training, unlike the Alexander Technique that requires 3 years full-time training to become qualified as a teacher.
It is often said that we should have a nice straight back. The word 'straight' however is a misnomer as a healthy spine has 4 natural curves when viewed from the side. When viewed from the front or back, the spine may appear straight. The curves are there for a reason, to provide support, to accommodate the ribcage and pelvis, to offer flexibility in movement and shock absorption when we jump. If our spine was entirely 'straight' like a broom pole it would not provide any of these benefits. The flexible arrangement of vertebrae (bones) and cartilage (flexible and rubbery spacers between the vertebrae) is all held in place by ligaments and muscles. Depending on how our musculature in our back is behaving, this will determine whether our spine is 'pulled' out of alignment by increasing or decreasing the curves, or whether the curves are even reversed in some situations. Scoliosis is what happens if someones back muscles are tensing more or less on the right side than the left, causing a sideways twist. Unless there is injury or disease of the spine, it is the activity of the muscles and ligaments the determine whether our spine is healthily upright or misaligned (I avoid using the word straight). It is determined by how we 'hold ourselves', standing on two feet and coping with the effects of gravity. Many postural habits such as slouching, stooping or sitting in a twist or carrying heavy bags on one shoulder affect our uprightness and alignment of our spine.
Yes, the Alexander Technique does address the alignment of the spine and our whole posture, but we do so indirectly; by eliminating harmful postural tensions and habits that cause a shortening of stature and the misalignment in the first place. All tensions cause a 'shortening' of stature, but if we revive the springy 'lengthening' of stature that we should have and did as a child, our postural alignment is improved. But we are not setting out in the first place to 'straighten' the spine, but address the poor postural habits that interfere with our co-ordination, balance and poise in movement as well as when still while sitting or standing. To be healthy, we need to be expansive in stature while also free and loose. It is this springy and light quality that Alexander Techniques seeks to revive (we had it as young children before habits set in). As we eliminate harmful tensions and address our balance (evenness on both feet and upright poise), our spine naturally takes on a more appropriate and healthy curvature, free of distortion.
In the process of addressing our balance, co-ordination and poise, many other aspects of health and personal performance are often enhanced; Alexander Technique helps good breathing, voice, personal confidence, sporting activities, acting, dance and many more activities we do in life. It helps people make more of themselves in almost any occupation or situation. This is why the technique is so popular with performers in music, dance and on stage as well as with business and sports people. Postural alignment does not cover it, however, one would be correct in thinking that this technique will help postural alignment. But postural alignment is only a small part of what we are addressing, as the Alexander Technique helps the working of our entire body and mind.
