Refresher Blog!! Deep Neutral 101

Hey you all,

I am sorry to have not updated my status here. I have been demurring to the business of music and band leading, unforgiving and thankless as they are. www.whatscookinmusic.com

I feel I should review some of what I purport to espouse here, regarding the origin and some of the finer points of purpose to this tool called Alexander Technique.

To review, there was an actor/orator named Alexander with an ailment in his voice that rest would not cure. Observing himself in a mirror, he saw no trouble in regular speaking, but noticed his whole body would kink up when attempting to orate, mostly from the neck and down.

What he discovered, was when he was naturally speaking, he wasn’t ‘trying”, but just observing. He decided he had to GIVE UP trying to “do” oration in his habitual way, to let something new occur. This was no small task as it took him years to inhabit not trying. But his persistence paid off as things developed that he couldn’t have expected.

So really, Alexander’s teaching can be boiled down to creating conditions and a neutral mindset where new things can occur. The learning is in inhibiting “the routine” of habit and from that space asking yourself, “can this be a little easier?”. Also, there’s no need to stretch to know. Just wish and see.

These are mostly thinking/mind skills: To not judge/jump to conclusions and stay neutral to the information coming or anything that “excites” or stimulates you. Another one that gets me is not assuming that progress is waiting on the other side of effort.

You can be in your own space, testing your resiliency to stimulation. You can also check your parameters of what does lead you out of your balance.

In some ways, we are NOT “teachers” giving you information, but “encouragers” and reminders to you of your ancient coordination that already exists. Your self in nature.

And using your consciousness to track and edit unnecessary tension (not all), pretension, fixed ideas, fears and blockades to being you and easy.

THIS is the work.

Observing and exploring what can be easier, through conscious allowance and permission.

Simple? Yes!

Easy? NO!

But I can help!

Direction means Life Force

I have been teaching Alexander Technique in San Francisco for 24 years, but I had to go to Death Valley to learn and experience something very primary. It’s not what you think! I did feel the full weight of just how much power and momentum is generated to move ourselves around. I felt it smack in my face! Literally!

Let me explain. The first day of my return to the hot lands brought me to the general store for Ice, Jerky and sundries. I was quite keen on sharing my love for the desert with my old So Cal pal, Paul, who had just turned into the store. Car parked, I moseyed toward some picnic tables to spy the maps. I watched to my left as two thirsty Crows searched for a drink of water from a drippy spigot when CLANG!

Overhangs require posts for support and I unknowingly got to feel just how supportive. But admittedly, at a bad angle of interaction. Accidentally and without seeing in front of me through the sunglasses, a corner and my right temple met. I sat at the nearest table and searched for my handkerchief because blood appeared. My old pal comes out and gets to witness the full horror of what happened. Poor Paul! Luckily, for me Paul got some ice from the cooler in the car and said the corner of my forehead swelled up like a doughnut around the gash from the post corner. Sorry for all the graphics, but suffice to say, it frikin hurt!

Dizzy and woozy, I was fine after a while and we proceeded to enjoy our vacation.

The point? I guess I must admit I did not understand fully the energy involved in locomotion. It’s no joke. Moving our bag of bones takes strength and many other coordinative factors. I got a chance to feel the force of moving myself forward and used my face to stop it. I highly discourage this type of research lol!

In an Alexander sense, when I reflect upon how unintentional it was, it’s remarkable that I can still feel traces of the pain 7 months later. So much power! Granted, it’s a sensitive area, but just imagine how much more force comes with intention? Or the intent to counteract gravity’s pull? We can be pretty heavy without some conscious direction. We always have the option to lighten our load. Unfortunately, accidents happen to all of us. No choice there. I guess keep watching. The world, …not the phone…. or darn Crows!

"Alexander Technique".....pardon?

Most of us Alexander Technique teachers find ourselves quite eager to clarify what our name refers to, because frankly, the Alexander Technique as is, communicates very little by itself. FM Alexander found a means-whereby he could successfully prevent unnecessary tension from interfering with the pursuit of his ends. “Technique” is now defined as “a skillful or efficient way of doing something”. CHECK! Not only is this accurate, but it sort of implicates itself as having the same aim as our work.

“Technique”, used as a noun, dates from the 19th century; a relatively new term in Alexander’s time and so, might reflect that time. Technique used as an adjective dates to the 17th century: “To do with Art or an Art” Nowadays, technique can be taken as style, workaround, hack, trick or even shortcut. Not exactly what FM envisioned!

Maybe the “Alexander Skill” would have been more apt at getting to what is being taught. It is very much a broad skill in that it can be applied to any and all skills. The application of knowledge is the thing and not the “style” or technique of it per se.

I believe replacing Alexander “Technique“ with Alexander “Technology” is a big winner. Technology defined as “applying scientific knowledge for practical purposes”. AT science studies are another blog entirely, but for now I assert that Alexander teachers engage in the scientific method by teaching skills based on principle that are demonstrable and repeatable. Come and see!

It is in this spirit that I call it Deep Neutral. For me, this is to get you to imagine the place in yourself that no one can get to and not something that you have to call upon from without. It’s close. but still incomplete. Oh well, back to the drawing board…

Who's a genius?

As humans, our design, our abilities and our growing and expansive nature; this to me is all genius. Human development on the whole has had it’s ups and downs, but as we are, even the dimmest of us, have oodles of gifts. This is certainly not due to our ego consciousness with the scared and touchy judge within. No.

We are taught and learn many things in life, but mostly we inherit dozens of skills needed for things like equilibrium, nutrient absorption and sustaining attention to detail to name a few. One could assert that applying conscious will to our endeavors in life is the icing on the cake of thousands of years of know-how built up inside us.

If you are walking in the woods, and have an impulse to pick up a rock or stick, it’s the same operation that occurred in you as a toddler. You just do it. No one had taught you anything. Your spirit moved you. The thought and intent provided all the follow through needed. There’s no knowledge of how. it is just there, all at once.

I enjoy driving and I sometimes marvel at our coordinating powers to create and maintain space in traffic. There are so many visual cues (not the finger) to help us avoid danger and anticipate what is ahead. We are NOT just isolated in our heads. We are reading terrain and coordinating beyond ourselves. All in concert.

All this to say, when you’re “down and out”, look to your innate genius that carries you through our rapidly spinning globe. You are always just here and for the most part, okay,…unless something is off!

Why compress when you decompress?

My belief on the whole, is that one of FM Alexander’s goals was, barring injury or physical disturbance, to help people allow themselves to know of how to move or be still in comfort, but also to suspend the reaction of anxiety when we are still. To look forward in “measured” anticipation, so you aren’t too excited but ready for what is next. A razor’s edge!

One way to distract yourself from having to “know” or “address” anxiety is to follow FM’s direction: OUT! If we encourage our direction to be outward, (or at least acknowledge/ release any part of you is pointed inward), we have a greater advantage of seeing the difference. A common way that people try to relax is to collapse themselves in a lump. While this can be “cozy”, if it’s hard to get up, you’ve probably done more compressing of the spine than necessary. No harm really, if you are young and healthy, but I would encourage DE-compressing! Lying flat for 5-10 minutes. Good for the spine, good all around! You have the time. Yes, you do!

"Deep Neutral" is.....

Since I coined this term, I never hesitate to share what I consider my ‘translations for understanding”. My thoughts are always evolving too so “Deep Neutral” is also in process as I come to understand it deeper. Alexander Technique is chocked full of jargon that needs explicating. This is normal of any discipline. In the coming weeks I plan to clarify as many terms that I can think of.

But first things first:

Deep Neutral is,…

An updated term for what Alexander termed “Inhibition”, with a little more insight and gravitas brought to what is essential, and a common part of the process that can be misunderstood.

 A place not too deep within us, but runs quiet and therefore, takes tuning into.

A calm but thorough observation and nothing more.

A slowing down of perception of time, because you are staying hyper-aware before, during and after an action while suspending definition or affiliation.

Hanging in readiness, without much caring or anxiety.

If meditation includes open-eyed reasoning through processes, then yes, we are meditating.

A peace reflected in our lack of perturbation.

An antidote to short-sighted assessment of anything that limits thought or action.

Honing in on the center of your being.

I had a lesson every Sunday with the great Bob Britton when I started this work. If I had a headache or worries, I’d notice that afterwards, my concerns would be lessened indirectly. For an hour, the teacher would focus on where my body wanted to be (free of tension), and so my mind would follow suit. I’d have concerns. But they weighed less.

One time I remember while teaching a nice man with a lot of “anticipatory tension”, getting to an unexpected place. Even while lying on a table, he would not let his limbs be relaxed even after repeated gentle teasing out. It seemed he wasn’t aware of it. It did not feel effective to point it out directly as a flaw, so I tried an indirect approach. We left the table, stood up and I tried to show with my hands as support, how little effort was needed for standing.

On a whim, as we stood still, I just started to narrate the ongoing experience of “inhibiting” and of watching impulses pass, thoughts pass and time pass but with a detached view and how there was nothing to do but watch. He let go of a lot of what he normally carried, because he was encouraged to think in a more suspended way. It was deep and it was neutral!

And on it goes. He eventually tensed up again most likely, very much like I did after my first lessons, but I know he had this experience that can shimmer in the depths for a few moments.

May I melt now?

In presenting and demonstrating this work in person, The Alexander teacher’s goal is to help you see things about you, outside and inside, that you might not have looked at before. We work to present them in the best way of engagement, not shocking, pushy or ideological. Instead, everything in acceptance, and there with you observing. It can be unnerving and takes courage. Sensitivity rules here.

It’s a beautiful experience to simply wait with the process of unfolding a common set of both posture and assumption. Our sense of ourselves in process, tells the tale of undoing better than words. To open and exercise tolerance in receiving the new is for me, a feat of strength. I used to love when my teachers would, with just a few key words coupled with hands on work, melt my resistance and fear of being taught something new. Letting up ego concerns for 30 seconds to just be?? Try it!

True Fiction Part one....

The attention that learning Alexander’s technique requires is quite challenging to sustain and rightly so. All at one time, we are asked to pay attention to the present, try to avoid habits of the past, and all the while hoping in the next moment not to mess it all up. All you have is your mind to separate them all. This here is a lot to take on and I believe it requires lots of patience with oneself.

Teachers will often suggest a calm and light attitude regarding expectations and judgements, in favor of slowing down, working incrementally and observing with more and more subtlety, the changes that occur over time. However, those of more passionate disposition might find it a drain on their nature to alter their style, especially when bumping up against deep habits within their make up.

I believe my work is to keep the passion going, while calming the system as a whole, and hang in long enough to extricate “habit X” to a point where it is held at bay. If someone does not want to be or feel “light”, I make space for that, because as long as you are interested in the process of directing out, you are becoming you, which is way more important.

2020? No hindsight for me, thank you.

Well, what can be said? After completely packing it all in, both music and Alexander presenting, there’s not much in the way of activities and success to tell.

There were/are many powerful reflections to be had in my future, even if my kids will do everything to forget it happened. The only good thing I can see coming from the last 10 months, that has to do with Alexander, is amid the panic and very real incalculable troubles whether we have bore witness or faced them directly, there was some let up and some space and time for quiet.

I remember hearing the sound of Caltrain going by and tooting, from 3.5 miles away. This is truly a moment in time. I hope we never have to shelter by force ever again, but I do celebrate the ability for multitudes to get quiet, and maybe see what they might hear. A direction or two I’m guessing….

More blog, more often coming up. A lot to recover in 2021.

And now, for something completely different.....

Well, I suppose it’s a good time to share my introverted self, along with Yesterday’s SF Chronicle.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/These-Bay-Area-residents-had-their-DNA-tested-13836225.php?psid=5bZZ9

I am humbled, honored and somewhat still in shock by what has transpired.

It’s a complete thrill. Like life, for better or worse.

It reminds me to show my face, participate and not stick my neck out…. much. I can’t say how much this ties in to Alexander work, except you get to peep at me and my new lot.

I’m holding an orientation class this Thursday May 23rd in Cole Valley at 6:00pm. Please contact mark@deepneutral.com to register.

“What a kick!”, would say my Mom!

Ooze on!

One of the great tasks for an Alexander Technique teacher is to try to pin down what it is and what it applies to. Plainly, it can be applied and used anywhere and in most contexts. But, while the sensation that is experienced with the guidance of a teacher is unique and unmistakable, when put into words, it ironically oozes into sharing language used to describe many other modalities. For example, so much of our “Awareness” work could be usefully applied to programs of mindfulness. And there are corresponding concepts of “Direction” in Iyengar Yoga and Feldenkrais. I think it’s great!

The things that resonate and make sense with different modalities are more readily absorbed and understood. Frank Ottiwell my trainer at ATI-San Francisco, when asked the differences of Alexander and Feldenkrais said: “Well, there’s more similarities than differences.” That’s it. Mostly likely implying, “find out for yourself kid”…

There are those that seek a narrow and definitive boundary around this all-encompassing work. Actually in an ideal world, I want that too. Only to stress that this work is truly unique, subtle and dynamic as an experience. As an enthusiast of 30 years, and teacher for 20, it remains a tricky task. There are some teachers outright rejecting other teacher’s descriptions and style, in favor of business concepts: “To sell, we must define, market and repeat” etc. I understand, or maybe I don’t.

I DO understand that the Alexander concepts exist in nature (in spite of business), as a physiological response to gravity acting on us, that can bring repose and coordinate us for the next moment. And that to steer ourselves and our students into that way of thinking, can take many and varied paths of description. In my learning from my teachers I had lessons describing aerodynamics, engineering, alchemy and even, God forbid, the Spirit.

My job, I believe is to use any means at my disposal to help students integrate these experiences we so espouse, until such time that it can be demonstrated in person. Then, you get to figure it out, hehe,….

In the meantime, ooze on!

The Blog of Irregular Intervals

Dec15th, 2018,

Leave Yourself Alone

A common prompt we were given by our trainers during our Alexander Training was, “Leave yourself alone.” “Really? Wasn’t I there to learn and be attentive?” “What was to be gained?” I thought. This all took a millisecond to wonder and probably a little longer to figure out. Ah! Those questions,…they all suspect if you are not “enacting”or “thinking” and let’s face it, concluding something, then, well…what?

Exactly! What. What is not always a question. What is what. That which we are faced with at any given moment to assess. “Present manifestation”. What is, is what is! So though we were fully engaged in the action of observing ourselves not doing/reacting, “leave yourself alone” was a beautifully timed salve to the inevitable worrying thoughts that accompany that level of openness. It seemed for me to clear the deck enough to be in acceptance of that which needed change/attention. The intensity of your concern doesn’t determine the clarity in which you see the “what”.

The quality you bring to the thing you want to address does make a difference. Your willingness to connect to the invisible what, what could be, and be easy about how you got there, seemed to be the difference between new skills, and thoughtless drills.

Try it. Do something you don’t normally/can’t. But in your attempt, observe and look out for yourself like a caring parent is of a toddler. Bring that quality of heart. It’s no joke.

From last July 18th Alan Watts clip

In perusing Youtube for worthy attention, I can always be engaged and transfixed by old recordings of Alan Watts, and his immensely accurate mental drawings of the reality of actual experience. I'm not sure they knew of each other, and Alan Watts certainly makes no mention of Alexander's technique that I know of. However, I think it is inevitable to cite and compare his innovative work to Alexander's because of the parallel descriptions they bring forth independently. This clip of a talk is a good example:

He discusses the possibility of "Ego" as being "a chronic habitual sense of muscular strain", for reasons that he lays out in the clip.  Alexander said something like, "we translate everything physical, mental or spiritual, into muscle tension." In a way, we have very little choice given the language we are given for understanding: "A grasp on things", "Apprehending", "getting a handle on", even "making sense of" is an idea from nothing but impression. Our central coordinating system, for better or worse, works just fine without us. And our concept of who we are at any given moment, if bought into, can have unforeseen affects if we grasp too tightly onto anything that is not in front of you. So let go. For a second or a minute, or few days. Let it just operate. Do what you need, which is in front of you. And take as much time as it takes.

New Blog post! Deep Neutral 3/14/19

I’m a slow learner here regarding Blog posts. I’ve been listing them on a non Blog page. Ooops!

Anyway, here is the first:

Deep Neutral? Deep Purple?? Not really. Just my term for describing both an essential feeling and a fundamental element in the teaching of F. M. Alexander. His term "inhibition" is fine, but I believe does not go far enough to describe the quality of non affiliation that Deep Neutral does. Maybe I'm wrong. I know the feeling though. I believe both terms describe the same dynamic of free-agency. I will try in this blog to uncover and clarify the intended implications of the thoughts behind it, for there are many.

When working well with an Alexander Practitioner you very likely will have brief encounters with non-attachment, practiced in the midst of activity or pursuit (or quietly to oneself), without it being intended or expected. And by then, it's too late to care whether you are "right" in what you are doing. It's a great sense of freedom, but also a big experiment with one's consciousness to push the bounds of expectations of yourself and the world.  The hesitation is : "what is awaiting me if I let go?" And the next thought seems often to be to tighten at the threat. My job as a practitioner is to make this space habitable and fun!! You will take from lessons the method of putting yourself right when you want to and need to. Easily. True power. Think of me merely as a shepherd, bringing you over an obscured passage to your own innate life skill.

Thanks!! More to come,....