How can a 30-second pause make such a difference?

Hmmm . . . I'm thinking a lot lately

about stopping, pausing, making

a break in activity. I must be busy!

When I was practice teaching during my Alexander Technique training, I had a student who asked the mysterious question, "How do you non-do?"

At the time, I didn't have a good answer, but now I've found many things that I can have a student DO to allow the body to "undo" or at least do less.

In the Alexander Technique, we call it inhibition (the neurological version of deciding not to do something). From there we have directions that we can run through to lengthen and widen muscles to re-coordinate the body and work more efficiently. We can stop and rest in ways that rejuvenate the body, mind and nervous system.

But the best thing I've found began with something from Gemma Williams who teaches in Cornwall, UK.

• Stop This is obvious, though not always easy. We think keeping on going will help us get finished faster. But will it really?

• Soften tongue If you've been working on a task, you probably notice your tongue is pressed to the roof of your mouth and your eyes are focused on a narrow window of task-related objects.

• Release the belly If you checked in down the body, you'd probably notice tension in the neck and jaw, maybe the low back, and likely the pelvis and legs.

• Release eyes Just getting the eyes away from a short-distance task alerts you to the fact that the field of vision has narrowed and caused some tension.

Ms. Williams' simple process breaks this tension pattern, even for a few seconds. You will notice the difference immediately. I use it several times a day. As a very focused worker this helps me find a bit of calm for body and mind. It also lets me notice when my nervous system is really wired and running on high.

• Tongue The freedom of the tongue allows my whole head and neck to release tension. Actually the tongue has facial connections all the way down to the big toe, so this can be a strong release!

• Belly My belly is generally pushed forward when I'm really working, especially at a desk-bound task. Freeing the belly allows the pelvis to settle back and lets me find my sit bones again (and uncross my feet to release my legs!). It's also a reminder that the chair will support me. I don't have to hold myself together.

• Eyes The biggest change comes when I get to the eyes. My vision expands and the room comes into focus. My face softens again, but it's almost as if my brain is more free, more connected. In reality, allowing the eyes to widen their perspective does allow the hemispheres of the brain to connect, but the fact that I can actually feel it is always a surprise!

Allowing the eyes to expand beyond the tunnel vision we create for ourselves is a big bonus. The left hemisphere of the brain gets involved in the minutiae of life, but it's the right hemisphere that allows us to experience the whole of life. Our senses come alive again and we can experience everything fitting together. Our bodies find coordination and flow so the things we're doing seem easier.

And wouldn't easier be nice?

For more information or lessons in person or online . . .

RePattern2Learn@gmail.com

712-292-2882