Activity 1: Pendulums
- Sit on the edge of a table and let your lower legs hang free over the edge.
- Bring back your left leg back until it is underneath the table and then let it go so it will swing forward. It is important to let it go and not to swing it forward yourself.
- Let alternate legs swing with minimal effort (just give them a little ‘nudge’) and think of each leg as a pendulum.
- Stand and think of a line from the tip of your shoulders through the biceps, down the arm to your thumbs. Or just think ‘long arms’.
- As with the legs, see if you can get your arms swinging straight and by your side with a minimal effort without lifting your shoulders.
- Now let your arms bend at the elbow, place your thumb lightly on your index finger, keep your fingers relaxed and again swing your arms without the shoulders lifting. Your hands should be relaxed, nether clenched into a fist or fingers held straight.
Activity 2: Walk to run
These exercises can be done by any age or ability and if you practise them you will soon improve your technique and the more you experience moving with less effort, the more you’ll enjoy it. For more information and tips please see our page on the Alexander Technique By Roy Palmer, Alexander Technique Teacher Don’t forget the Hunts 10k race on 19 June still time to enter! |