In her book, Life and Death in Shanghai, Nien Cheng describes her life in China during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Because she and her late husband had worked for a foreign firm, her home and all her possessions were confiscated by … Continue reading →
I was chatting with some friends over dinner, attempting to explain the basic principles of the Alexander Technique. I spoke a little about the importance Alexander teachers attach to having a free neck so that the head can easily balance … Continue reading →
A few years ago, I happened to have two students who were both quite tall and who had lessons scheduled one right after the other on the same morning. Jack (not his real name) was in his late thirties, not … Continue reading →
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview Cupid about his experiences with the Alexander Technique. Me: Cupid, thank you so much for taking the time to speak to me. I know you’re busy at this time of … Continue reading →
One high-school subject stands out above all others in my memory: Physical Education. I detested everything about PE, from the endless runs around a large undeveloped property near my high-school to Friday afternoons in the gym where we played “murder-ball”, … Continue reading →
Beside the pleasant pool Narcissus lay And bending over, quenched his thirst, to find Within his heart a thirst of different kind… Narcissus was an exceptionally beautiful sixteen-year-old Greek boy, hard and disdainful, who scorned everyone, including the nymph Echo … Continue reading →
A STORY: “A man enjoys life. But it isn’t perfect. He sometimes experiences pain, frustration, and suffering. For a while he gets along okay. But the suffering builds over time, over a number of years. The suffering becomes a major … Continue reading →
The other day while shopping in the supermarket, I happened to overhear part of a conversation between two middle-aged women. One said something like: “You’ll learn to carry yourself with greater ease, you’ll have greater self-esteem and your breathing will … Continue reading →
When John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963, Lydon Johnson became president of the United States. As many remember, he was sworn in on the same plane that brought Kennedy to Texas, and that was about … Continue reading →
He was probably nine or ten years old. I suppose he would be about four feet tall if he were standing normally. But he wasn’t, thanks to his immense backpack. It was so heavy that his whole body curved sharply … Continue reading →