Comments on: Working and exercise are bad for you http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/ My journal of learning the Alexander Technique Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:27:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Dan Hoey http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/#comment-9 Dan Hoey Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:01:08 +0000 http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/#comment-9 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. 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.

]]> By: petetaxi http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/#comment-8 petetaxi Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:50:36 +0000 http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/#comment-8 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. 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.

]]> By: Dan Hoey http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/#comment-7 Dan Hoey Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:02:05 +0000 http://petetaxi.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/working-and-exercise-are-bad-for-you/#comment-7 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. 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.

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