If I merely said one should avoid slouching, a student might then overwork muscles to create the appearance of not slouching, but that is not the aim in the Alexander Technique. Well-intentioned people often try to find “good” or “better” posture by overworking muscles. Then they become tired, tight, fidgety, or something similar, and find themselves slumping again.
There is a middle road that involves learning to attain the coordination that results in easeful lengthening and widening, i.e., not slouching. When students have learned how to lengthen and widen the back, they will be able to maintain an upright posture without slouching for longer periods of time and without a sense of effort.
When you can discern the difference between how you perceive yourself when slouching as compared to lengthening and widening your back, and when you have learned how to direct yourself into lengthening and widening your back, you will have have information about whether it’s useful for you to slouch. And when you notice you are slouching – you will have a choice.
Some people do not slouch until their backs are tired. That is a signal that it’s time to rest the back. That’s a good time to lie down in semi-supine.
is it ok to slouch sometimes, or should it be completely avoided?
Dear Rolf,
Thank you for your question about slouching.
If I merely said one should avoid slouching, a student might then overwork muscles to create the appearance of not slouching, but that is not the aim in the Alexander Technique. Well-intentioned people often try to find “good” or “better” posture by overworking muscles. Then they become tired, tight, fidgety, or something similar, and find themselves slumping again.
There is a middle road that involves learning to attain the coordination that results in easeful lengthening and widening, i.e., not slouching. When students have learned how to lengthen and widen the back, they will be able to maintain an upright posture without slouching for longer periods of time and without a sense of effort.
When you can discern the difference between how you perceive yourself when slouching as compared to lengthening and widening your back, and when you have learned how to direct yourself into lengthening and widening your back, you will have have information about whether it’s useful for you to slouch. And when you notice you are slouching – you will have a choice.
Some people do not slouch until their backs are tired. That is a signal that it’s time to rest the back. That’s a good time to lie down in semi-supine.
-Ruth Rootberg M.AmSAT