Like a prop comic, but sad
March 4, 2023 7:15 AM Subscribe
Alexander Technique practitioners: I need a way to do active rest with as FEW props or physical objects as possible.
I recently took a few Alexander Technique classes, and I very much like the philosophy and parts of the practice.
What I DON'T like is what I was shown regarding the number of props I have to assemble (according to my instructor) to do active rest properly. Memory foam, nonslip mat, books stacked just so high under the occipital bone (plus a towel on top).
I'm autistic, and wrangling a bunch of physical objects into exact positions is not my forte, to say the least. And then I have to break all of it down again because I don't have dedicated space for this activity, nor will I be able to dedicate a space to it.
Not to mention the apparent need for just-so arrangement of the legs, but honestly that part troubles me less.
This is day 2 of my trying this three-ring circus at home and I wind up more stressed and in pain than I was before. I've seen YouTube videos done simply with a yoga mat on a hard floor, but that might be a little too spartan for this old body.
I'd like to be able to continue with active rest, since it seems like it would help open up my cervical spine, in particular. But I would need a far more streamlined setup.
For practitioners of the technique: what's YOUR setup like?
I recently took a few Alexander Technique classes, and I very much like the philosophy and parts of the practice.
What I DON'T like is what I was shown regarding the number of props I have to assemble (according to my instructor) to do active rest properly. Memory foam, nonslip mat, books stacked just so high under the occipital bone (plus a towel on top).
I'm autistic, and wrangling a bunch of physical objects into exact positions is not my forte, to say the least. And then I have to break all of it down again because I don't have dedicated space for this activity, nor will I be able to dedicate a space to it.
Not to mention the apparent need for just-so arrangement of the legs, but honestly that part troubles me less.
This is day 2 of my trying this three-ring circus at home and I wind up more stressed and in pain than I was before. I've seen YouTube videos done simply with a yoga mat on a hard floor, but that might be a little too spartan for this old body.
I'd like to be able to continue with active rest, since it seems like it would help open up my cervical spine, in particular. But I would need a far more streamlined setup.
For practitioners of the technique: what's YOUR setup like?
Hello, I don't have experience with a solution, but I have done alexander work in classes and I share your frustration with "active rest" without props. I always found I was more active than resting and felt the pose uncomfortable.
I did some quick searching and first found this at alexandertechnique.com - look at the third photo down, which shows a folding pillow/mat with triangle section to support the raised knees. and a thin block under the head.
Searching around, this is called a Folding Thai Triangle Pillow or 4-fold Mat with Triangle cushion, or a 3 fold Thai PIllow.
A challenge is the sizing of the triangle will be very important. I'm 6' tall and the pillow would need to be fairly large to actually support my legs and knees. I found this vendor that sells the pillows in a large size.
If you can find one in your size, this would be a once piece item that folds up when not in use and doesn't look too bad. For the head - perhaps an extra thin 1" yoga block would be enough to get this to a 2-piece setup.
posted by sol at 7:49 AM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
I did some quick searching and first found this at alexandertechnique.com - look at the third photo down, which shows a folding pillow/mat with triangle section to support the raised knees. and a thin block under the head.
Searching around, this is called a Folding Thai Triangle Pillow or 4-fold Mat with Triangle cushion, or a 3 fold Thai PIllow.
A challenge is the sizing of the triangle will be very important. I'm 6' tall and the pillow would need to be fairly large to actually support my legs and knees. I found this vendor that sells the pillows in a large size.
If you can find one in your size, this would be a once piece item that folds up when not in use and doesn't look too bad. For the head - perhaps an extra thin 1" yoga block would be enough to get this to a 2-piece setup.
posted by sol at 7:49 AM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: a legit AT liedown can be done with just a pillow to support the knees and the one book supporting the head.
alternatively, honor the practice as best you may. a liedown on the floor without either can be useful.
the frequent-throughout-the-day inner reminder, "free the neck." then, free the neck.
20+ years intermittent AT student.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:25 AM on March 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
alternatively, honor the practice as best you may. a liedown on the floor without either can be useful.
the frequent-throughout-the-day inner reminder, "free the neck." then, free the neck.
20+ years intermittent AT student.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:25 AM on March 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I studied AT for 3-4 years and I only ever used a book under occipital bone when in semi-supine on the floor. No other props at all.
I remember discussing with our teacher as well that even the height of the book(s) didn’t need to be the same every time. The key was to bring your awareness to the fact that the head and neck may be in a different position and that we’re affirmatively choosing that position.
It sounds like you might be too rigid in what you’re thinking of as what’s “necessary” and “right” for AT. Allow yourself to experiment and be open to experiencing how that affects your ability to find your neutral positions again.
posted by bkpiano at 6:58 PM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
I remember discussing with our teacher as well that even the height of the book(s) didn’t need to be the same every time. The key was to bring your awareness to the fact that the head and neck may be in a different position and that we’re affirmatively choosing that position.
It sounds like you might be too rigid in what you’re thinking of as what’s “necessary” and “right” for AT. Allow yourself to experiment and be open to experiencing how that affects your ability to find your neutral positions again.
posted by bkpiano at 6:58 PM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
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PS: Aren't all prop comics sad? :)
posted by falsedmitri at 7:23 AM on March 4, 2023 [2 favorites]