Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Repetitive
Stain Injury (RSI) refers to repetitive strenuous movements, including
hand-movements, which cause injury as a result. Typing, computer work,
playing the piano, are a few examples.
What is the Alexander Technique approach to such injuries?
In the Alexander Technique we observe HOW the movements are done, in additions
to WHAT the movements are. Are they accompanied with tension? Is
that tension necessary? Is the tension taking place in the right places,
in the right amount, for the right length of time? Is it possible to reduce it,
or replace it with TONING instead?
Practicing the technique will first enable you to reduce overall stress
and tightness, which will help you to kinesthetically feel and notice
more closely what's going on with your hand-movement. The way we are able
to "do" things - we're also able to undo, and avoid any tension which
is about to appear before it even appears. It requires thought and
attention. It's a skill which can be learned.
In addition, with the Alexander Technique you will become aware of your
Head-Neck-Back Relationship. This type of body-awareness will facilitate
self-coordination in such a way that there will be no need to tense
unnecessarily, to over-tense, or to tense in the wrong places. When
engaging the Head, Neck, and Back the way babies or wild animals do naturally -
the movements becomes light, easy, and effortless.
Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself when you sit at the
computer, or at the piano:
Where are my finger-joints?
Where am I moving my fingers from?
Where do my fingers start?
How closed is my hand, how open is it? How tensed is it? How
released is it?
What are my wrists for? What's their purpose? What am I doing with
them? What can I stop doing? How can I keep them free?
To learn more - contact Shula at shula.Alexander@gmail.com