Try a sample exercise

Start by sitting in a chair. Get comfortable. Do you find yourself slouching or sitting upright? Now stand up. How did you do it? Did you place your hands on your thighs or on the arms of the chair and force yourself up?

Now sit back down and try it this way. Sit upright in the chair and relax your head upward. Concentrate on relaxing your neck and thinking about a line traveling through the top of your head. To stand up, without pushing off your thighs or knees, relax upward and forward. Simply lean forward, tilting that imaginary line so that it continues to direct your body up and forward.

How did that feel? Was it easier than using the pushing off method? Did you feel less tension in your neck and back when relaxing upward?

Alexander found that the most useful change he could make was to mentally direct his neck to be free so that his head, followed by his body, could release in an upward direction -- delicately, without any stiffening or undue effort. This is the guiding principle of all movements in Alexander technique, including walking and running. Next time you go for a walk or jog, try concentrating on letting that line from the top of your head direct you. Relax upward and tilt that line somewhat forward. Let your body follow and see if you feel more comfortable.

Practitioners of Alexander also focus on conserving energy in other ways. How hard do you really need to grasp a doorknob to open a door? Do you really need to bend so far over while brushing your teeth?