Body Learning: The Alexander Technique

Your Body and your Mind: More Tightly Knit than you could ever have Imagined - Part 3

February 22, 2023 Robert Rickover
Body Learning: The Alexander Technique
Your Body and your Mind: More Tightly Knit than you could ever have Imagined - Part 3
Show Notes

Robert Rickover continues his discussion with Imogen Ragone, an Alexander Technique teacher in Wilmington, Delaware, about F. Mathias Alexander's use of the term "psycho-physical." Our previous conversation was about why he used that phrase, and some of the implications of the meaning he assigns to it, and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/b9NxHqCLuX8 In this podcast, they discuss more implications that flow from Alexander's concept of mind/body unity - specifically how an understanding of it can help us avoid one of the major obstacles faced by students - and teachers! - when self-directing and inhibiting.

Imogen's website: https://ImogenRagone.com Robert teaches in Omaha, Nebraska. Website: https://AlexanderTechniqueNebraska.com Both Imogen and Robert also teach online. For more information about the Alexander Technique: https://AlexanderTechnique.com

Here is part of what Alexander wrote in his second book, Constructive Conscious Control, and which is quoted in the interview:

"I wish to make clear the sense in which I use the word psycho-physical. The term psycho-physical is used both here and throughout my works to indicate the impossibility of separating "physical" and "mental" operations in our conception of the working of the human organism. As I wrote in (my first book) Man's Supreme Inheritance, 'In my opinion the two must be considered entirely interdependent, and even more closely knit than is implied by such a phrase."  (emphasis mine)

Part 1: https://youtu.be/b9NxHqCLuX8
Part 2: https://youtu.be/-KQmTjo_Vf4