>Next, John Link, I've heard of Feldenkrais and enjoyed visiting the web site
>you recommended. One question it didn't answer is how it differs from
>Alexander Technique, which I've been studying for several years.
I've only taken a few Alexander classes and once I had a private
lesson with an Alexander teacher who had previously been a
Feldenkrais practitioner, so I'm not the best one to answer about the
Alexander Technique. Still, here are my impressions, based on my
experience and what I've heard from my students:
Feldenkrais Method
1) Group mode in which all participants are active.
2) Wide range of movements used, from small to large (e.g, lifting
and lowerng a single finger, going from lying on the back to sitting
by rolling through the side, going from standing to sitting on the
floor in a spiral, going up into and down from a headstand).
3) Pedagogy oriented toward systematically exploring a wide range of
variations.
Alexander Technique
1) No distinct group mode. Group classes are semi-private lessons in
which the students take turns having the attention of the teacher.
2) Small repertoire of movements used (standing up from and sitting
down onto a chair).
3) Pedagogy oriented toward rehearsing correct action.
> (I also
>practice yoga. It just goes to show you that relaxation techniques are only
helpful if you actually use them to relax!!)
Although I suggested the Feldenkrais Method because of what someone
else wrote about the importance of relaxation, the Feldenkrais Method
is not primarily a relaxation technique. If it were, I wouldn't be
making a career of it for myself. Instead, the Feldenkrais Method is
a way to learn to organize oneself effectively for action, and that
includes moving in a way that is relaxed.
Be well,
John Link
P.S. I've just put together a Feldenkrais page for myself. See the
link below. And in case you missed it previosly, here is a link to a
two-part article I wrote about Feldenkrais for singers:
http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/author/view_author_info.gsp?auth_id=70698\
1
http://www.mp3.com/JohnLinkFeldenkrais
http://www.mp3.com/JohnLinkVocalQuintet
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