Let Your Torso Stand!
Do you feel as if you have better “posture” when you stand than when you sit? Have you ever wondered why?
First of all, I try not to use the word “posture” if I can help it. Language is very important in Alexander Technique, because how we think is how we move. Since Alexander Technique is meant to restore us to natural and efficient movement, it’s best for us to avoid words that imply something stationary, and instead use words that suggest movement. So instead of saying “posture”, I’d say “the use of the torso”. I have to use the word “posture” until I have a chance to explain myself. 🙂
Back to the original question--there’s really no reason for us to change the way we’re using our torso when we move from standing to sitting, even though most of us do. Maybe it has to do with the design of our chairs, slouching from sitting too long, or the stress of the tasks we do while sitting. Whatever the reason, if you feel uncomfortable while you’re sitting at the piano or the computer, taking a standing break will usually help. A brief walk around the room is even better. But let’s discuss how to improve the use of your torso when you sit back down.
The sit bones are located at the bottom of our pelvis, and are basically the “feet” of our torso. If you’re not sure where they are, you can locate them by placing your hands under the buttocks while sitting. They are the two bony protrusions that you feel, and we want to be able to balance on them when we play the piano. If you’re sitting at a desk, you’ll want to feel the connection to the sit bones as well. If we have good use, the weight of our torso can pass through them into the chair or piano bench.
Try this experiment sometime when you’re sitting down: stand up and notice how your torso feels. Then sit back down, but allow your torso to remain as it felt when you were standing. In other words, think of your sit bones as the “feet” of your torso, and allow your torso to remain “standing” on them. What does that feel like?
This is not meant to encourage you to find a position and hold it--that’s very much against the Alexander Technique practice! Rather, this is a brief exploration that you can do any time of day to have a quick check-in with how you’re using your torso. Hopefully it will highlight any habits that you might have, like craning your neck toward the music or computer, or slouching from long periods of sitting.
Interspersing brief practices like this throughout the day can help us stay mentally alert and physically comfortable. It can also help us avoid neck and back pain, which is common when we sit at a computer or practice the piano.
I’d love to know how this works for you, so feel free to comment below and let me know how it’s going!
If you’re a piano teacher who’d like to learn how Alexander Technique can benefit your students, download our free PDF, “5 Ways to Incorporate Alexander Technique into your Piano Teaching”. Even if you’ve never experienced Alexander Technique before, there are basic ideas that you can incorporate into your playing and teaching right away.!