Exercise
Did some exercise two nights ago: 15 mins rowing, 15 mins on the cross trainer, then a steam room. Haven’t done any for about a 3-4 weeks due to Christmas, but it made me feel really tired and tense the next day, especially around the ribs. I think regular exercise makes you feel better, that definitely didn’t.
Work
I need a change of profession – not enjoying software development – I need a good break, but a complete change would be better. In many ways it could just be a habit of focusing on the things I don’t like about it – there are much worse jobs to do – but the physical side and the tedium is making me tense, which is exhausting by the end of the week, plus I end up watching the clock from about 11am (one habit I would definitely benefit from breaking).
Alexander talked about the habit of “mind-wandering” and the impossibility of forcing yourself to “concentrate” on something. I’m doing what he talked about when ‘trying’ to focus on my work e.g. furrowing the brow, bending over, which don’t help with the job at all. Alexander knew the solution – whole mind/body determination to complete the task. All I want to do when I’m there is stand up and walk out, though, his technique isn’t helping with that 
Read an interview with some musicians about applying the Alexander Technique – they mentioned someone saying ideally you should give up playing for a year when learning the technique, and said it’s very difficult to have lessons at the same time as doing the thing that is messing you up. I can see this – the habits you indulge in all day, every day at work have quite a hold on you and are irresistible once you get caught up in work – it would be so much easier to establish good habits from a clean start.
Now I just need to arrange a year off work… it’s not outside the realm of possibility if I quit the permanent job and get some well paid contract jobs, although I’d have to move around.
Generally speaking…
I’m finding it impossible to reach the state of stillness which I used to be able to get from lying semi-supine, it can be a real chore trying, but I’ve got to do something to help the stiff neck and shoulders I’m getting from work.
I can’t stop the mind racing and make a connection with my body, over the last 2 days in particular. Having no success with any of the mental imagery or other stuff I’ve been trying. Boo hoo.
As a musician and software developer I can agree with taking a sometime off. I didn’t touch the piano in the first year of taking alexander lessons except for gigs and occasional rehearsals. I eventually quit my programming job and started working for my self, at home as much as possible. It’s much easier to look after yourself when you have more control of your work situation.
With regards to semi-supine: I suggest that you give up trying to achieve anything in particular when you lie down. Trying to reach a state of stillness is a form of end-gaining that may stop you from getting the most out of lying down. Lie down because it is enjoyable to spend some time not having to do anything, think of anything or respond to anything. Allow (but don’t want) a release, length and width.
Thanks for your response Dan, it’s interesting to your story. I also play the piano (and the guitar) as well as being a software developer (and I also like producing music on the computer at home) – it’s good to hear from someone with similar activities.
Did you choose to work from home to help with the technique etc or was it for other reasons?
Taking time off from computers for a year could be hard as I’ll end up doing music at home if I take time off work
unless I go travelling… that might be the best way to totally detach from all my habits… hmm.
I would say that I quit work for other reasons but that the AT work help me realise that I needed a change.
I would also add that not touching the piano was not a pre-mediated choice but rather that I enjoyed playing less as I became aware of how much tension I brought to the piano. To the extent that I just stopped wanting to play. At one stage I thought that I might even give it up for good. I’m happy to report that an enjoy playing more than ever now that I’m finally able to play with some freedom.
So make music at home so long as you are enjoying it and not bringing to much unnecessary tension/effort to the activity.
best of luck.