Sorry I haven’t posted here for a while. I’ve been busy getting my new blog up and running. (I’ll get back to posting regularly to this blog very soon.) I’ve had a real resurgence of passion in my musical life, and have started writing about two things that really light me up: Using the Alexander [...]

Often when a musician is first introduced to the Alexander principles of awareness, inhibition and direction, he or she is put off by the idea that paying attention to oneself in this Alexander way will become a distraction that interferes with the music making process. This is a valid concern (one in which I had [...]

I sometimes say to my music students as they’re playing their instruments: “You might think that your main activity in this moment is playing your instrument. But as far as your neuromuscular system is concerned, your main activity is maintaining your upright balance in gravity.” (It’s also fairly well involved in breathing, too, which is [...]

In the mind of the expert, the possibilities are few. In the mind of the beginner, the possibilities are endless. Ryo Suzuki, zen master The best saxophone lesson i’ve ever had was not given to me by a saxophone teacher. It was given to me by somebody who knew nothing about playing the saxophone: Frances [...]

I have been a professional musician (saxophonist, flutist, composer) for over thirty five years. I came to study the Alexander Technique because of some serious problems I was experiencing as a performer. In learning to help myself with this work, I’ve come to see a broader picture of what it means to learn and improve [...]

The things that don’t exist are the most difficult to get rid of. F.M. Alexander This quote from the founder of the Alexander Technique quite clearly describes one of the biggest obstacles to personal growth and change: Our false beliefs about ourselves. And even though these beliefs are inaccurate, they ultimately influence (if not determine) [...]

As a musician who has been greatly helped by the Alexander Technique, I get a special kind of satisfaction helping other musicians discover the practical benefits of this work. This month I’d like to introduce you to Cathy Biagini, a professional cellist whom I first met in my beginning Alexander Technique class at the Crescenta-Canada [...]

One of the things I most enjoy about teaching is the continuos opportunity to learn from my students. Not long ago, I was giving a lesson to Cathy, a professional cellist. She is an excellent musician and a dedicated Alexander Technique student. Sitting in good balance, she began to play. She was able to maintain [...]

One of the things I notice a lot since I’ve been studying and teaching the Alexander Technique is how frequently people hold their breath. Most people literally stop breathing many times over the course of a day. Even when giving a lesson, I often have to remind my student to keep breathing. When you think [...]

One of the most helpful things you can do to take care of your back (and to restore your entire self, both body and mind) is something we in the Alexander world call constructive rest. It’s a simple procedure where you lie down in what’s called a semi-supine position (on your back with your knees [...]