Bill Connington's Blog: Summer 2015, reading and presenting - Posts Tagged "relaxation"

Had a very nice book party last Friday night at the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT) in Manhattan.

It was a full house: wonderful people. A mixture of Alexander Technique teachers, actors, and other guests.

I talked about the Alexander Technique, and how I've taught it to performers at the Juilliard School, NYU, The Actors Studio MFA Program, and Yale School of Drama. I read a bit from the book, and then I got everyone up and doing some of the exercises from the book.

Here are some photos from the evening:
http://on.fb.me/1qw0Zl9

The book is being purchased by individual performers, and as a textbook at Yale School of Drama, Manhattan School of Music and Mannes School of Music. I've been surprised that some non-performances have picked up a copy of the book. Even though it was written with performers in mind, apparently there is enough in there that is helpful, and some non-performers have read it as well.

I have some other book parties coming up, which I'm looking forward to--and I will be presenting the Alexander Technique in group settings.

Here is an adaptation of an exercise from my book Physical Expression on Stage and Screen. You don't have to be a performer to benefit:

1. Sit at the computer as you do normally.
2. Notice how you are using your body.
3. Do you hunch down toward the computer?
4. What's happening in your head, neck, and shoulders?
5. Do you hold your breath, or make your breath shallow?
6. Remind yourself to lengthen easily into your full height.
7. This does not mean military posture.
8. Allow your neck to be free, your torso long and wide, and breathe easily, as you type.

Here is a video exercise to help you when sitting at the computer. It's less than 2 minutes long:

http://bit.ly/1DznoIn