Alexander Technique Articles:

'The Personal Account':

A personal account of a three year Alexander Technique teacher training course.

Part 8 - Habitual Reactions to Stimuli:

Another frequently mentioned phrase started to take on some meaning: Habitual reactions to stimuli.

The task ahead from now on was to recognize a stimulus that I was likely to react to. Certain things in life, such as the cello, trigger the reactions more strongly than others. It is just a fact I have to accept that this is my response to events in life. If I choose to ignore my habits and reactions, I know straight where I will end up. I can either resent it, or continue to learn and grow.
Just knowing about habitual reactions and recognizing them does not mean that one suddenly starts living a brand new life. Habits are always there, to use as a way of reacting to a situation. The bigger the stimulus, the more likelihood there is of being tempted to resort to the habit at the crucial moment. This keeps Alexander work fresh, fascinating and challenging.

In my own on-going Alexander development, I approach situations in a different way, but equally, I am more aware of the presence of habitual reactions than ever before. This is because my recognition of habits is more acute than before, and my sensory perception is not as faulty as before.

Far from being defeated and frustrated I am hugely thankful I have spotted it, and can ‘come out of it’.