Thank you for your comments and word that you are benefiting considerably from PRI. It is definitely pleasing to hear/read. I think that the imagery works well with hands-on Alexander Technique lessons as well, something that has not caught on with teachers yet, I don’t think. But it will eventually. Maybe in the next generation. It can be complimentary, as far as I can see.

As for your question about “the yellow man [who] is the most relaxed”:

I described the yellow version as producing ‘very ”laid-back,” perhaps even lazy individual.’ Laid back implies. to me, someone who rests more on his or her heals, has a more than average rounded and full back, and somewhat of a hollow neck. The word relaxed might mean something different to people because any time you release some unnecessary tensions you may feel more relaxed and still not be “laid-back.” As for having “holes all over” like you expected for a relaxed person… well I happen to fall in that class - I am the type with holes all over (and imagine being the type with no holes). I would call myself rather relaxed at times, but not very laid-back.

I feel like I am talking alot and not answering your question. Maybe I can’t. Maybe my descriptions are not perfect… but I do know that practicing having all of the forms of body is healthy and good for you and releasing, if not relaxing.

Thanks for the challenging question. I may have failed in the answer.

John

Thanks for your thoughts. I have received some positive responses from all sorts of people, not just those knowledgeable of the Alexander Technique. But I would be curious to know how more people from AT, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais, or inexperienced back pain sufferers respond to this exercise. It would be nice to get more responses publically… and privately. I am always willing to try to clarify what seems hard to understand in my work.

Cheers,

John

I enjoyed those very much, thank you. Especially the whimsical elements. Reminds me of the saying: “This is far too important a matter to be taken seriously”. I’m curious to know how those without AT experience respond to the images and words. I should check out your blog. Thanks again.

You ask good questions. Maybe too good, since I am not sure I have the answers… yet. This “image of motor segment only” exercise does seem to fit in with core stability. I think that since the director and motor segments are imagined NOT to exist, it has the effect of not only eliminating some miscontrol by those segments but also it perhaps makes the motor segment seem bigger. Being bigger, it would be sensed as more stable, I think.

As for the question about the heal, I must admit I hadn’t clarified that issue. Images tend to work even when they are not precisely worked out… of which this is an example. But I have been working with your question here and have the answer (which involves changing my drawing a bit when I get to it. The appropriate split between the motor and rudder segments is through the third toe and not back through the heal but rather turned inward toward the instep. Then the split returns to the center to the ventral part of the back of the calf. See the illustration of the foot and heal in the dorsal-ventral evolution drawing on the homepage,
http://posturereleaseimagery.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/background-hill-with-evo4.JPG
As I stated, I am a more uncertain about this image than others so let me know what you discover or learn from experimentation.

John

Also a question for the more human depiction of the d/m/r splits above, do you also split off the heel as part of the rudder segment? (you have it depicted above as part of the motor segment, AND the rudder segment, I think) Which would mean the heel to disappear as well?
That’s it for now I think
Take care,
Pete

Thanks for your comments. Keep on exploring to see what works for you and what you learn. Also, feel free to ask here or email me privately with any comments or questions that might come up. My drawings aren’t perfect nor are my imagery directions. So miscommunication can occur.

Cheers,
John