Hello my friends,

Today while I was walking Rafi,  my tiniest neighbor was playing on the patio. He’s a toddler, barely two years old, if that. He likes Rafi but keeps his distance, waving hi and bye.  

Today, this little bundle of sweetness was full of glee as he grabbed the pedal of what I can only assume is his daddy’s bicycle. He was cranking it up and around, down and up again.

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova from Pexels

He was a perfect example of efficiency in motion. He was coming into and out of a perfect squat, his little back open and tall, his head perfectly balanced and his knees bending and straightening. Up and down, and his hand just held on to the pedal and his arm described circles with the movement that was generated by his legs.

He was delighted with himself and totally involved, but stopped to wave hi and bye to Rafi anyway.

How is it that little ones have such easy movement, without instruction?

He was moving according to Nature’s design and having incredible amounts of fun in the process.

Why do we lose that? When does the fun become effort and work, and all too often, pain?

This is what I love about Alexander Technique; simple practice becomes more fun. It helps with my head weight and balance. It gives freedom and heightens body awareness.  It’s a feeling like no other; in the zone….moments of effortlessness. I can sustain it in Viennese Waltz for awhile but not the entire round yet. It’s as if my mind kicks into gear and suddenly I’m out of the zone and the feeling of work begins.

I’m not a dance Pro but I want to move like one. I’m also dancing in my first competition ever, in about 2 1/2 weeks. 

What is it about the way a Pro moves?

Near as I can tell at this point in my dance journey, it means you have to find the body parts that create the movement and actually do the moment to moment, movement to movement series of events that bring about the result.

A child does it without thinking. They have an efficiency of movement, allowing their joints to release and bend and their spine to remain long and tall.

I am learning; going for the “look” without going through the process that creates it, doesn’t work. You have to break down your habits and create new movement patterns. You have to change the fundamental way you move to improve your dancing.

I’m exploring Alexander principles of movement for long, tall carriage of the head and spine. I also recommend bringing Rafi for a play date and learning from my toddler friend. Little children naturally allow their legs to release from their bodies in movement and their spines are elegant, long, and straight.

Namaste,

Dana

In loving memory of Rafi, the Japanese Chin 

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