Alexander Technique
- Thread starter Lockstep
- Start date
mamboqueen
Well-Known Member
He's great....har har har!!!
Seriously - I think Chris Stratton can help you with this one, Lockstep.
Seriously - I think Chris Stratton can help you with this one, Lockstep.
Here is a short blurp on previous discussion of alexander technique. Also references other DF discussions.
http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2996
http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2996
Craig Inners
New Member
Greg workes with a person who has taught Alexander tech for over 20 years just email him mailto:glsipe@aol.com :lol:
Chris Stratton
New Member
Larinda McRaven said:
While a ballroom posture incorporates some wierd stretches, I though it was still supposed to be based on fundamental alignment. For example, isn't the head still aligned as an extension of the upper spine? Only the upper spine is pointed in an unusual direction?
Chris Stratton
New Member
Yes, closed position is more like hanging from the sternum than the head. But part of what that does is point the upper spine towards the head. It's like the same ideas, applied to a different sort of shape.
Chris Stratton
New Member
Hmm article sums the relevance of AT to dancing up pretty well...they could've skipped the introduction though...:
Don't think I ever once considered doing dancing just to find out whether my partner has any STD's....
Anyway...had two AT classes y'day, and was very impressed
Both of them basically entailed exercises in sitting up and down, lying down and getting up, and in a number of positions learning how to relax the muscles and assume a more natural (not equal to familiar) shape.
One of the first things that was obvious was that I (and nearly everyone else), is very used to using particular parts of your body when executing a particular move that you really don't need to move. Its superfluous, and though not truly harmful, awareness of it can really improve your appearance, and certainly improve some of the dancing.
It seems to be a fairly mentally-oriented approach however. I was instructed to 'think tall', and NOT to actively try to change my posture. It's more the stopping of involuntary movement than a conscious attempt to 'put your shoulders back' for instance
For this stuff to have a significant effect on my dancing, I'll have to have some more classes (when I can find the money). I already did notice quite an improvement in my ability to follow though (I'm male and usually lead), simply by having practiced some more in relaxing and letting go
Anywayz...if you can find a teacher offering a free trial class, go for it. It's really something you need to experience and can't explain very easily, as its a very subtle and, of course, physical technique.
Don't think I ever once considered doing dancing just to find out whether my partner has any STD's....
Anyway...had two AT classes y'day, and was very impressed
Both of them basically entailed exercises in sitting up and down, lying down and getting up, and in a number of positions learning how to relax the muscles and assume a more natural (not equal to familiar) shape.
One of the first things that was obvious was that I (and nearly everyone else), is very used to using particular parts of your body when executing a particular move that you really don't need to move. Its superfluous, and though not truly harmful, awareness of it can really improve your appearance, and certainly improve some of the dancing.
It seems to be a fairly mentally-oriented approach however. I was instructed to 'think tall', and NOT to actively try to change my posture. It's more the stopping of involuntary movement than a conscious attempt to 'put your shoulders back' for instance
For this stuff to have a significant effect on my dancing, I'll have to have some more classes (when I can find the money). I already did notice quite an improvement in my ability to follow though (I'm male and usually lead), simply by having practiced some more in relaxing and letting go
Anywayz...if you can find a teacher offering a free trial class, go for it. It's really something you need to experience and can't explain very easily, as its a very subtle and, of course, physical technique.
I think people learn to dance because our society lately favours activities requiring less human contact... the development of computers and home-based activities is a good example... we chat and post in forums more than we communicate directly... think: how much do you really know about your co-workers and how much do you know about the people on the forum? I am fortunate enough to live in a less developed country where the human contact is still favoured... but I am the living witness of the change in the children...
We used to be a country where food and lack of exercise related issues didn't exist... now fast foods and computer industries are growing here as well... and guess what...?
I'd say dance is addressing the lack of human contact issue...
We used to be a country where food and lack of exercise related issues didn't exist... now fast foods and computer industries are growing here as well... and guess what...?
I'd say dance is addressing the lack of human contact issue...