Hello all!
This post was inspired by my suffering watching so many other participants in tango dance classes suffering from standing around as they listen and watch the teachers, but you can use these tips for standing around in your kitchen, in line or anywhere else.
It’s clear that in dance classes people tire and that their backs and feet ache as they struggle to stand comfortably, or give up and sit down. Sometimes people will shift side to side or start stretching themselves, trying to relieve tension.
I decided I can watch this no longer! I want to help my beloved tango community to stand with more ease and suffer no more! It is possible to stand comfortably for long periods of time – even in heels! I have some Alexander Technique tips to share with you to make standing easier, so you can get the most out of the upcoming Montana Tango Festival classes as well as your regular ones. And if you are not a tango dancer, you can apply these tips to standing in line, in the kitchen, at your desk or just hanging out.
1. Find your internal balance
Instead of shifting your body around in an effort to get comfortable, be soft-jointed. Balance doesn’t mean locking joints. Balance actually means a gentle, almost imperceptible sway. Try allowing movement inside yourself. Do you know why skyscrapers and pagodas don’t fall in Japan, where they have earthquakes all the time? Because they sway! They’re not rigid. Be like a Japanese pagoda!
2. Include yourself in your awareness
Instead of placing all your attention on listening to and watching the teacher, include yourself in your awareness. It is you listening. Let yourself be part of it. Be aware of your body and the space around you as well. This might seem like you have to pay attention to a lot of things at once, but with practice, you can easily pay attention to yourself as you’re doing something, so that you can decide how you want to do it and be comfortable. Alexander Technique practitioners call it a“unified field of awareness” because you can gradually stretch your attention out more flexibly just like you can stretch your muscles to be more flexible.
3. Don’t hold yourself in a fixed position
Most people strike a habitual posture as they listen and watch. While some postures will probably be less sustainable, it’s not so much about the posture as getting stuck in it. Try to observe where you are getting stuck in your posture. Are you pushing your pelvis forward or pulling it up to the back? Are you collapsing your chest down or are you pulling it up? Are you pushing your head forward and down? Do you fix your arms in place or pull your shoulders back? These are very common ways of getting stuck in postures. As you figure out what your habitual posture is, try not taking it while you are not moving around. It doesn’t mean that you have to move around. It just means not holding yourself stock still in a posture while you are standing quietly.
4. Keep your arms free
Dancers almost always hold their arms in some habitual position while they’re watching and listening. Observe what you do with yours. Free arms actually help you with balanced, comfortable standing. If you are clasping your hands behind your back or crossing your arms, you’re actually making your bodywork harder and impairing your ability to mentally engage with what the teacher is showing.
5. Keep your head balanced
Most people tend to push their heads toward what they are paying attention to. Next time you are standing around listening and watching, observe what you do with your head. Necks, shoulders and backs get tired when the neckis working to hold the head up. Let your head release up and balance at the top of your spine so that you can actually rest!
6. Rest your feet on the ground
Dancers often put most of their weight on the ball of their feet. Instead of shifting from side to side (and contorting your body in the process), try resting the full length and width of your feet on the ground. That way your weight can distribute throughout your feet and discharge into the ground so that your feet aren’t being overworked in certain areas. Even if you’re wearing heels!
It’s possible to stand comfortably for a long time. Try out these Alexander Technique tips in your next dance class or at any other time in your life when you are standing. If you get curious about it, you will probably discover more ways of getting more comfortable and less fatigued so you can absorb more and enjoy yourself more!
AlexanderTechnique can help you find an alternative to “posturing” in uncomfortable ways– by integrating yourself.
For individualized work to improve how you use your body and attention to dance (and walk, sit and stand) better, schedule a private or semi-private lesson with Alexander Technique specialist Mari Hodges at mari@discoverease.how or 406-544-4625. Your body and your tango partner will thank you!
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