Monthly Archives: January 2013

OK, have you been noticing your “trying” part?

Last blog, I talked about how much we want do things “right”. And I am always curious about what “right” is? Is there truly a “right” or something in our belief or experience that we interpret as “right”. Something to ponder, hmmmmm.

I noticed the other day as I was picking up my tea mug, that I was griping it like there was no tomorrow; my forearm, wrist and shoulder was tensing as well as my jaw (clenching my teeth) – was that “trying” too hard to hold my mug “right”? So I gradually lessened the grip, little by little, at first I noticed my jaw loosen, then my shoulder (it was pulled up towards my same side ear); then slowly, upper arm, forearm and wrist.

So, a very everyday occurrence for me to have a cup of tea or coffee, and if I don’t notice what I am doing, I continually over grip the cup, and my body suffers. Is it helping me hold the cup? It is probably a long standing habit of mine, maybe way back as a child I dropped a mug and was scolded and from then on realized I must really grip it or it will drop and break.

Let’s take a little inventory of how you hold your coffee mug, or a broom, or OMG the vaccum handle (that is another whole blog!)and see what you do that is unneccessary and with gentleness to yourself, do less…do less…do less; enjoy ease and freedom!

Watch the video to the right of this blog…can you see trying there??

Are you trying too hard? Isn’t that how I get it “right”?

For alot of us there is a strong relationship between trying to get something right and excess muscular tension. When we try to do something, whether it be writing a email, being on time to your daugher’s school play, or even exercising with so much muscular tension that you wear out your joints or end up with arthritis.

The next time you’re trying hard to get something right see if you’re tightening your shoulders or neck, clenching your jaw and , or holding your breath? These are some of the many ways “trying” shows up in the body.

Our work recognizes that most people sacrifice their physical well-being in order to achieve their goals or “get it right”. Is there a “right”? Or is “getting it right” a personal measurement of how I show up in the world. We call it “end gaining” or going for your “end” by trying to hard at the expense of your body.

Stay tuned….I am going to give you some suggestions of how to “know that you are trying too hard”

Can we “fix” our pain so it doesn’t come back?

“At the age of 43, I thought my active lifestyle was at an end. The doctors informed me that the constant acute pain I experienced after three back surgeries, was permanent and not curable. Then I met Karen Loving; she was my salvation. After she taught me the Alexander Technique, I had my life back. Now at age 51 I can play golf, chop wood, lift weights and do activity without pain or fear of injury. Karen didn’t “fix” my problem; she taught me how to “fix” it myself, permanently! ” J. K., Insurance Executive

We all want someone to “fix” our pain and make it go away, or correct our posture easily. However, if we learn what we are doing ourselves that could be creating discomfort, then WE CAN practice the principles that create ease and natural movement. These princples are in everything that we do and we learn about our own bodies. The Alexander Technique principles give us long term results because we are directing how we move and learning it can be simple and therefore natural.

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