Going ‘UP’
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
4y ago
Going ‘Up’ is a fundamental experience of the Alexander Technique. Cultivating this ‘whole body response’ is a central aim of both the Alexander Technique lesson and of a personal Alexander Technique practice; and how to tap into this response during your everyday life is a real skill. To describe the experience with words always falls short, but it’s helpful to work towards a shared understanding. John Nichols, an Alexander Technique teacher in New York describes it as, ” ….this natural, whole body response to gravity so t ..read more
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Pause To Curiosity
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
4y ago
The lived experience is the conscious, individual’s perception of learning and practicing the Alexander Technique - with as little Alexander jargon, vagueness, or pedagogical explanation as possible. To capture this in words is a true challenge. One worth pursuing because it brings clarity to the person who attempts it on how they are thinking in activity; and it simultaneously helps move the conversation forwards for us all - towards a greater shared understanding of the many elements of experience common between us. It requires honesty, self-confidence to be vulnerable, effort to see things ..read more
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Blog 3.0
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
4y ago
Clarity Every few years my blog gets a bit clearer. It takes a fresh turn towards my goal to help clarify aspects of the Alexander Technique for students, teachers, myself, and the broader community. This next chapter is going to focus on two things: 1. Exploration of the lived experience - the conscious, individuals perception of learning and practicing the Alexander Technique - with as little Alexander jargon, vagueness, or pedagogical explanation as possible. 2. Exploration and clarification of what we know today of the science underlying the Alexander Technique. It’s my hope that by takin ..read more
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The Divided Brain & The Making of The Western World
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
5y ago
-Jo Hilton Sometimes, when your coordination is really ‘On’, your thoughts and movements seem to connect and flow effortlessly from whatever intentions you have (be it in making music, acting, in conversation with another, or just walking down the street). An experience of self awareness in action - you see yourself move without the normal amount of perceived effort (like watching yourself automatically, unconsciously, and effortlessly catch a wine glass that was knocked off a counter), yet you still have some choice in the matter - you ..read more
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Horns Growing On Young People's Skulls?
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
5y ago
Last week several of my students and colleagues sent me a link to this Washington Post article. It described a 2018 publication that found approx 40% of youth between the ages of 18-30 years old within the study sample had developed a horn like projection on the back of their skulls just above the neck.What’s thought to be happening is that extra bone is growing as an adaptation to deal with an increased downwards pull from muscles that attach to the head associated the postural support system (extensors). It’s suggested the muscles excessively pulling on the back of the head due are to poor p ..read more
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A Student's Exploration of Backpain
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
5y ago
Back-pain is a real challenge for many people. For most, back pain is not a clear-cut mechanical problem that can be fixed with surgery. Instead, it’s multi-faceted, largely misunderstood, and approached in harmful ways ways that lead to a range of compounding issues that include less movement, more fear and confusion, greater pain sensitivity, less self-confidence and self-efficacy, and more depression and/or anxiety.The good news is that more people are starting to recognize and share this reality with others as they shift towards new strategies and more movement. Some of these self-motiva ..read more
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Movement: Addition vs Subtraction
Alexander Technique Vancouver - Mark Vasak
by Mark Vasak
5y ago
Summary: We commonly imitate others to learn new skills (addition). But when we imitate others we often also copy their bad and personal habits. At some point, to take our skill development further things need to get personal. This sometimes means removing (subtracting) the excess movement, tensions, or habits picked up in earlier stages of learning: To do less, so the skill can happen more easily on it’s own.AdditionWe typically learn new skills by imitating someone else. Let’s call this addition.Playing an instrument, swinging a tennis racket, doing a dance step, or skiing down a slope; at o ..read more
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