Hands on the back of a chair?
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
1M ago
Before and after A peaceful morning I had a clear Sunday stretching in front of me. I was looking forward to a peaceful morning pottering about the house, baking a cake, listening to podcasts, and perhaps going for a walk if the sun didn’t disappear. That wicked winter sun, being low in the sky, sent its merciless rays straight across to the glass door of my oven. That’s when I remembered! I hadn’t cleaned the oven before Christmas, reasoning that it would only get dirty during the festivities. But neither had I cleaned it after Christmas - and there was no ignoring the fact that a deep clean ..read more
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'Quick, you can still grab FREE ...'
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
3M ago
Sophie climbs an olive tree Grab a deal! It may be my age, but I dislike the word ‘grab’, although my adult sons find it perfectly all right. It’s everywhere: ‘Points to grab on partner offers.’ ‘Grab a deal.’ ‘Grab the products you want.’ ‘Grab cheap seats.’ It makes me think of someone rushing forward, elbowing other people out of the way, avariciously reaching out. To me it seems rough and selfish. Of course if you slip, you try to grab a hand-hold, or if you fall in the water, you hope to grab a lifebelt. But these are not everyday occurrences. In the photo my cat is climbing a tree; as s ..read more
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Making and creating
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
1y ago
The notebook I made in Rye The importance of practice A wad of folded and sewn pages, a selection of sharp and pointy tools, glue, old magazines … These items have been sitting on my desk for more than a fortnight, the result of a peaceful day spent with Philippa East of the Rye Book and Paper Studio. My creative urge is tempered by my lack of skill. I can’t draw and I hate sewing, but I love books and paper, and have dabbled in bookbinding for several years now. Philippa showed me how to make a ‘flat-back case binding’, i.e. a notebook made of sections of paper sewn together and protected by ..read more
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Finding space
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
1y ago
River Ouse between Southease and Rodmell I grew up in Harrogate… … a spacious spa town in North Yorkshire.  Now I live in Lewes, a medieval town in East Sussex, tucked into the Downs and characterised by its narrow flint-walled streets. In architectural terms, ‘space can only be created through the use of form’*. Think of the way European cathedrals encourage your thoughts and prayers to float heavenwards, and how they make human beings feel small and insignificant. When visiting a friend who’d set up a work station in the area under the stairs I noticed he was pulling in his shoulders a ..read more
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Never too old to learn ...
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
2y ago
Driftwood Construction by Margaret Mellis, 1997 Do you enjoy courses and learning new things? I certainly do and like to think it’s due to my open mind and thirst for knowledge. (I shan’t go into less positive reasons.) Thanks to pandemic lockdowns, the availability and quality of online courses has increased, along with an awareness of how some things work very well online. It’s nice to work with a group of people who are dotted around the world, and even when all participants are based in your home country, an online course is accessible to more people. An artist date I’m just coming to the ..read more
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Another year begins ...
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
2y ago
The sun shone this morning! Christmas passed in a damp and misty blur. I did manage a couple of walks but never knew exactly where I was, and no views were to be enjoyed. But it’s amazing how a little sunshine makes you feel more optimistic and cheerful. There’s a downside too. The sun streaming into my living room this morning revealed crumbs, splashes, and clumps of cat fur, so I’ve had an active morning cleaning up. Anything can become annoying when overdone. For example, a partner who possesses the ability to continue with a task until it’s completed may be annoyingly impervious to the nee ..read more
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Warning signals
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
2y ago
In our kitchen we have a fancy bean-to-cup coffee machine; visitors are often perturbed by the strange noises it makes as it turns on and off. Although it has warning lights to remind you to top up the water and empty the grounds, it doesn’t tell you when there are no beans. You only realise by the anguished howl it emits when there’s nothing left to grind. Humans don’t have warning lights as such, but it’s useful to notice warning signals. However well you start off, as the day progresses it’s easy to become lost in work, family, cleaning, cooking, driving … The busier you get, especially if ..read more
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In the Botanic Garden
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
2y ago
I have many photos like this… …tree branches outlined against a blue sky, with some fluffy white clouds floating by. You have probably guessed I’m engaged in Active Rest - on this occasion in the Botanic Garden of Oxford. When I was young (back in the 80s) I lived in Oxford for four years, working at Oxford University Press. I like to visit every now and again and am lucky enough to be able to stay with a friend. In need of Active Rest On this fine morning I decided to walk around some of my old haunts.  By the middle of the day I was tired and aching. I sat down for a coffee but knew an ..read more
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Listen and follow to give your hands a break
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
2y ago
This ‘non-activity’, as you might call it, is aimed primarily at those who’ve already taken some Alexander Technique lessons. But if AT is new to you, please do give it a try. Our hands are always busy At the mere thought of activity the relevant muscles will begin to contract. So, give them a break for a few minutes. You’ll have to ask them to stop doing their thing, or else they’ll continue to be busy. Sit fairly close to your desk or table and make sure you’re on your sitting bones. Your feet are flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Ensure you’re balanced so that it’s easy to stay sitting t ..read more
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On my bike
Alexander Technique Lewes Blog
by Kathryn Minogue
2y ago
I found some writing in an old notebook; I’m going to use it now. Most people are well aware that movement and/or being outside improves their mood. In an Alexander sense, allow your environment to support you and help you lighten up a little. I’m on my bike, blinded by tears. That’s no good. I need to see; I need to breathe. Letting my head be welcomed by the sky and my bones settle on the saddle I start to feel calmer. Now I can see the road ahead while my back smiles at the road already travelled. My shoulders widen as I take up the space I need, lungs expanding with every in-breath. I imag ..read more
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