De-Aging with the Alexander Technique

There are many things people can do now to stay younger looking and feeling: Eat well, manage stress, exercise, stay out of the sun, just to name a few…

There are a few dead giveaways, though, that show age. The first is posture. A slumped forward posture with a hump on the upper back are an all too common sight today and even many young people are well on their way to calcified stooped postures.

The second give away is how one moves. A shuffling stiff gait combined with tiny furtive steps that move side-to-side is easily identifiable as the movement patterns of old folks. Both posture and how we move communicate age. People make spot assessments as to the age of a person from the way they stand and move. Isn’t it so?

The third is facial tension. A pinched, stressed expression adds years to your appearance.

What can a person do to take years off his/her face, and posture reclaiming a more youthful pain free body? Posture and movement habits are developed over decades, and as such, changing them requires something more than good exercise and good eating habits.

Try the following:

First soften the neck so the head can balance right on top it, helping bring the head over the body not in front of it. This goes a long way toward improving posture.

Now look at your profile in the mirror. Are your shoulders up or forward? If there is any holding let your shoulders release and widen outward and away from the spine.

Lastly notice if your jaw is clenched or tight, and if there is tightness around the lips. Leave a small amount of space between your upper and lower molars. In other words allow the jaw and lips to soften.

The Alexander Technique focuses on consciously using your thoughts to undo outmoded or destructive habits. We “allow or let” tension release.

These are a few simple ways of consciously thinking oneself into lighter easier posture and de-aging oneself…. Try these yourself , best of all study the Alexander Technique for sustainable good posture and movement

 

Deborah Lewis

 

Deborahalewis.com