Hi,

Can anyone advise further on the concept of the head leading. When I
don't interfere too much and let the head lead I feel the ease of
breating restored. However it is difficult to maintain. Any ideas on
the best way to stop putting the head forward and then stiffening.

Amit

Hi Amit,

Thanks for the specific details (see below.) They make it much easier to
know how to respond.

In General
---

Talking, and sitting (for long periods) at a computer, are strong stimuli,
and it's easy to stop looking after yourself during these activities. It
gets easier with practice.

When you "do" the directions, perhaps it's because you're "homing in" on
your head-neck in an unhelpful way, or trying to feel the directions
working. Both of these will sabotage you.

Don't spend more than a few moments on "let my head forward and up" before
moving on to "let my back lengthen and widen". You are not trying to fix
your neck, but to coordinate the whole of yourself.

Also, stay connected to the outside world. One way of doing this is to keep
consciously registering what you're seeing out of the corners of your eyes
(at first, practise this while you're walking.)

Sitting at a computer, talking to someone, and/or giving directions, the
temptation is to "concentrate", and to blot out everything else. But keep
letting sensation in. "Attention" is Alexander's word for the kind of
awareness we want-- one in which thinking always includes what is happening
in ourselves and around us. It's in contrast with "concentration", which
blots out everything except what we're doing (including an attempt to blot
out our own bodies, very often.)

In Particular
---

To encourage yourself to use your peripheral vision while sitting at a
computer, make sure you have an interesting environment surrounding your
desk-- a view out of the window, photos of friends and family, a sport you
enjoy, whatever. Change it often. And when working, take breaks, inhibit and
direct. Slow down.

At home, at work, at the computer and away from it, do "Whispered Ahs"
regularly, making sure you keep your peripheral vision active as you direct
your head, neck and back. Let me know if you want more information about
Whispered Ahs.

I hope this helps, and please report back, in the spirit of experimentation!

Nick

Hello Amit,
You seem to have a very good sense of what it feels like when you allow
your head to lead.  Often, once you have discovered that new sense of
freedom the best thing can be to forget all about it.  Paradoxical as
it may sound, it can be in the "forgetting" that we are best able to
remember. When we try to hold on to the experience it will escape us.
Don't attach too much importance to any one element. Keep a broad sense
of the whole. Let go into the whole. Breathe into the whole. You might
find these words of F M Alexander of some use:"The experience you want
is in the process of getting it. If you have some thing, give it up.
Getting it, not having it, is what you want."

Best wishes
Peter