Posture

Oxford Dictionary noun 1 a particular position of the body. 2 the way in which a person holds their body.

Many people see their posture as being distorted or unattractive but they are unable to make any lasting changes. Poor posture can include a pulled back head, stiff neck, rounded or hunched shoulders, collapsed back, pulled in and over-narrowed back, hips thrown forwards and feet and knees out of alignment.

The Alexander Technique works by learning to release tension and do less rather than holding positions. Once you understand the patterns of unnecessary tightening and how to let go of it, your body releases into a better, lighter, freer and more open 'posture'.

Poise
In fact, I like to use the more appropriate word 'poise' for this kind of 'dynamic posture' (especially as the word has a mental as well as physical connotation). When we learn to be poised, our whole outlook on life can change.

Cats
Whilst cats can never learn the Alexander Technique, they do generally have natural, wonderful poise. Think of a cat while it is ready to spring it's prey: It is holding back it's desire to jump (inhibition), it is beautifully aligned (head, neck and back) and totally focused. Sometimes, after assessment, if say the prey is too far away, it changes it's mind and walks away. When it chooses to pounce it doesn't hold back, the movement flows out of it's decision to go for it.

The Alexander Technique teaches us how to use our consciousness to 'get out of our own way' and be poised - whether it be whilst walking, running, dancing, singing, playing an instrument, lifting or simply sitting.

Oxford Dictionary Poise: noun 1 graceful and elegant bearing. 2 composure and dignity of manner. verb 1 be or cause to be balanced or suspended. 2 poised, composed and elegant or self-assured. 3 (be poised to do) be ready and prepared to do.