Alexander Technique in Los Angeles, CA

I am designing a new program for entrepreneurs: "Your Body inBusiness."  All of us know how to use the computer for our business.  Weall must use our cell phones, our iPhones, iPods, and our MP3 players. Do you know how to use your body in business? 

With all of theexciting preparations for Meet the Media Day, like me, I bet you aredoing a lot of work at the computer.  In order to connect with potentialclients, you must speak on the phone.  You often have to drive toStaples, to the next Networking Mixer, and to your speakingengagements.  What is your body telling you about your business?  Areyou using your body as well as you use your iPhone?  I was with a coachtoday who said "I love my iPhone.  I don't know what I would do withoutit!"  Do you have that same attitude about the tool you use the most forall of those tasks (your body)?

Please tell me about yourproblems and frustrations with your body in business?  Stiff neck? Aching back?  Migraines?  Nervousness when going on stage?  Exhausted atthe end of the day?  Can you be productive if you are stressed out? Are you losing money because you are frazzled?  Tell me.  I want to knowwhat you are experiencing with "Your Body in Business."

Contactme at Sharon@AlexanderTechniqueLA.com

I look forward to hearingfrom you,

Sharon Jakubecy

Last week, I visited the office of Caroline Donahue, founder and owner of Remabulous Coaching.  During my visit, we looked at how Caroline was sitting at the computer, speaking on the phone, and writing at her desk.  I helped Caroline identify unnecessary habits she used to sit and work at her desk.  Some movements and tension patterns we identified that were requiring strain and tension were: leaning in towards the computer which compressed her neck, ribcage and spine.   This position can create neck and back pain, stress your nervous system, and make you feel exhausted.



With a few helpful tips, Caroline was able to release the tension of pulling forward toward the computer.  She let her spine support her in the back.  She allowed her ribcage to be supported by the spine so that it could freely move with her breath.  Caroline was most surprised by how graceful she felt sitting at the computer.  She stated, "It's so much easier to sit like this!" 


Here are a few simple tips you can use to save energy at the computer:
1)Pay attention to your body and how you are using it.  What position are you in?  Are you collapsing forward?  Are you holding your breath and clenching your jaw?

2)Allow your spine to be long, supportive, and flexible.  You don't want to slouch and you also don't want to pusch and force yourself to sit up straight.  You are not meant to have a straight spine because this creates rigidity.  Your spine in your back holds you up AND it is designed to move.  You do not have to hold yourself up with effort.  You can release the muscles along your neck and spine into length.

3)Have both feet on the floor.  This gives the rest of your body structural support.  The big bones of your legs help support your spine, ribcage, and head from below.

4)Do not lean in towards the computer.  Allow your head and spine to move back and up away from the computer so they your spine is long and you back is wide.  Trust me, you will still be able to see the computer screen.

5)Instead of holding your breath, let breath out of your mouth.  This simple technique releases your jaw and eliminates old carbon dioxide in your lungs.  You body will start to move with your breath again.

For more free tips, on eliminating tension visit www.AlexanderTechniqueLA.com

The next workshop is May 15, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Silver Lake Yoga Sign up by May 1 and receive a early registration discount of $30.  Sign up at http://www.bit.ly/boZ8Pk


Caroline Donahue is the founder and owner of Remabulous Coaching, which serves entrepreneurs and business owners through business coaching and productivity coaching. Caroline has over ten years experience working both in the worlds of psychology and the arts.

She holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and also trained at  the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland.

She works in person and through phone sessions, workshops, and teleseminars. To learn more, visit www.remabulouscoaching.com

“Grrrrrr!  What are all of these people doing on the road?  Where could they possibly be going at this hour?  What does that guy think he is doing?  He is driving like a lunatic!  I have been driving for 30 minutes and have only gone 8 miles! “

 

Driving is a necessary evil in Los Angeles.  Every day, the mean travel time to work for Angelenos is just about 30 minutes.  Both ways is an hour.  Add on driving to the kids' school, to the bank, the grocery store, and maybe even a trip to the gym and Angelenos are spending close to 2 hours in the car.  While driving, many of my students complain about hip and lower back pain, neck stiffness, frustration, stress, and downright exasperation.     During their lesson, we look at how they are using themselves while they are driving and how they can undo the destructive tension that makes this activity so unpleasant. 

 

Betsy Salkind is a comedian and writer in LA (www.BetsySalkind.com).  In one of her very first lessons, we went out to her car and investigated what she was doing that made her neck ache and her head explode.  While she was driving, Betsy was slouching forward, collapsing her ribcage and spine.  This position required her neck muscles to contract pulling the weight of her head back and down.  She was forward of the structural support of her pelvis, so her hip joints were compressed.  Her neck hurt.  Her shoulders hurt.  Her hips hurt.

It is possible to drive without compression and strain.  For Betsy, we arranged her position in the car seat so that she let her head, neck, and back release back and up away from the steering wheel.  The back of her head was supported by the headrest, which needed to be adjusted so that it didn't tilt forward.  With her head, supported by her spine, which was now long, her neck muscles were no longer straining to hold her head up.  Her ribcage had room to move with her breath.  **Here is an amazing little secret weapon that will help you to eliminate tension while driving** She held the steering wheel with the pinky side of her hand which helped her to stay supported by her back.  

Now when she is driving Betsy doesn't want to slouch because it makes the experience so much more stressful.  She sits tall, doesn't hold her breath, and lets her pelvis and back support her entire body.  By making these simple choices for yourself, you too can drive in LA traffic without pain and stress.

For more helpful tips join my email list by visiting www.AlexanderTechniqueLA.com

I was with a friend this weekend who is a personal trainer.  He knows his business.  He also looks the part: 6'3", 200lbs, 6-pack abdomen, former football and baseball player.  We were stretching together and what I noticed, as an Alexander Technique teacher, was that when he was stretching, he was holding his breath, clenching his jaw, and grimacing his face.  

The New York Times reported on the Alexander Technique and Back Pain.  Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the U.K.’s University of Southampton and lead author of the BMJ study, answered some questions about Alexander Technique and its effectiveness in dealing with back pain.  Read the article:  

Poise and Presence An Introduction to the Alexander Technique

Discover the secret that many successful actors, musicians and athletes use to produce fluid performances. Learn how to release interfering tension in your whole body. Find centeredness and ease by applying AT principles to speaking and performance. Gain poise and presence by managing stress more effectively.

Where & When Veterans Center for the Performing Arts Upstairs at the furniture store Mortise and Tenon 446 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Saturday, May 23,  1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cost $20 preregistration; $25 at the door

This workshop is designed to emphasize the balance of your head, neck, and spine so that the body can move more efficiently. You will enjoy sophisticated, gentle hands-on guidance and feedback, a chance to unravel stress, and instruction regarding habitual movement patterns.

With Sharon's expert guidance, you will examine everyday basic movements such as sitting, standing, speaking, walking, bending, reaching, and performing. Through releasing unnecessary effort, you gain POISE and PRESENCE on and off stage.

To register, email info@AlexanderTechniqueLA.com or call (310) 383 1796.  Visit www.AlexanderTechniqueLA.com for more information.

Sharon Jakubecy is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher who has taught doctors, news broadcasters, singers, writers, actors, musicians, and teachers, helping them to achieve their peak performance. The LA Opera, Vox Humana, Unknown Theater, and Children's Hospital have sought her to teach workshops for their organizations.