Some time ago I had the opportunity to attend a four day workshop exploring the F.M. Alexander Technique, which is an approach to understanding the body from the inside by learning to consciously experience movement.
During one of the sessions I was being ‘experientially instructed’ on how to stand up from sitting in a chair and how to sit down. It’s amazing how much goes into such a “simple” movement. At one point a rush of energy went through my body. There was a feeling that something had been released. The energy was so strong that I passed out for the first time in my life. The instructors were concerned, but I felt great. Something was different.
Soon after I went to a wedding in which I had a supporting role. I had always been very nervous in such situations. But something had changed, I could now be (somewhat) present in my body, there was no nervousness, I was able to play the role, and be aware of much more of the event.
The body is a mysterious creation. The Gurdjieff Work is the only spiritual practise that I know of that gives awareness of and through the body a major significance.
An extremely good blog about the Alexander technique can be found here.
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