Welcome to Connecting Up the Dots! Connecting Up the Dots brings together the fields of movement science, artistic performance, and embodied mindfulness practices. This combination provides a unique perspective on music education and well-being that helps bridge the gap between science and art. By learning embodied awareness of anatomy and physiology of movement you can improve breathing, posture, self-control, and artistic expression, while simultaneously reducing pain and injury.

Used worldwide for more than 125 years, the Alexander Technique is a holistic mind-body method that emphasizes the importance of awareness in the activities of life. The AT helps individuals change inefficient and/or faulty habits, reducing potentially harmful stress (allostatic load). Most modern somatic therapies (i.e. Feldenkrais Method) are at least partially derivative of the AT. Interestingly, Gestalt psychotherapy was also influenced by the AT.

According to a large scale survey conducted by Eldred et al. in 2015, approximately 400,000 Alexander Technique lessons are taught each year in the UK with students primarily coming for relief from chronic musculoskeletal pain (low back pain, neck pain, joint pain, etc.), improved posture, skilled performance, and/or general well-being. Some healthcare providers including the National Health Service (UK) and the Mayo Clinic and offer Alexander Technique lessons. See the Research page for more on AT clinical trials.

The Alexander Technique is an integral part of the curricula at many drama and music schools, including the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music and the Royal College of Music. A systematic review (Klein et al., 2014) concluded that AT lessons may improve performance anxiety in musicians after a number of studies showed AT improves performance anxiety and quality outcomes (Davies, 2020; Valentine et al., 1995; Nielsen, 1994).

AT lessons teach you to move with greater ease, coordination, and somatosensory awareness. Lessons provide a framework of self care skills to reduce stress and anxiety. AT lessons coupled with cognitive strategies taught in lessons makes it easier to change habits. Common applications of the Alexander Technique include:

• Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation
• Improving Breathing and Vocal Tone
• Enhancing Control of Muscular Tone in Activity
• Reducing Stress and Anxiety
• Improving Somatosensory Awareness
• Increasing Range of Motion
• Improving Coordination

Ready to book a lesson? Would you like to have an application class at your business/school/association? Have a question or comment? Use the Contact page to for specific inquiries.

Check out the blog articles for more information.