The Alexander Technique and Mindfulness with Cherry Collins

My hips too ‐ tightness ungripping ‐ and my legs coming out of my hips easily, lightly, swinging out from the torso. They know how far to step ‐ they know how to move ‐ and my spine releases up more as my feet touch lightly but assuredly on the ground. My feet know where to go ‐ they find the spot so long as my eyes are looking ahead and a broad awareness fills my mind.

I notice that there is less strain, it is less hard work. As someone with M.E. my ability to walk used to be very limited indeed. At one time I used to need a stick if I went out, something I found hard as an ex‐walker who loved the open air. My ability to walk has gone up, gradually. I know, though, when I am "flowing" walking and when the act of walking is a strain on my system. I could tell when I moved my awareness to the neck as primary focus rather than the feet that something changed. I also became aware of my feet in a new and more deeply connected way. My awareness of them came through muscularskeletal connection; from inside, rather than an awareness from the "outside‐in."

This is a snap‐shot, an experiment conducted informally on my holiday. It has left me with a clear experience on which to reflect. Looking back on my own story of M.E., it highlights for me that if the system breaks down around the area of the 'control centre’, the nape of the neck where the spine and skull meet, there are far reaching consequences.

I used to prefer the term 'primary relationship' rather than primary control. As I have moved through my training course I have come to see that it really is the primary control.