This blog post is from Simi Toledano who came to an introductory class that I co-taught at the American Center for the Alexander Technique.

“I believe the Alexander Technique class enabled me to channel the full range of emotions of publicly speaking my truth with acceptance, vulnerability and confidence.”

As an actor, artist and activist, I need to understand how my body works in order to clear a channel for inspiration. I am new to the Alexander Technique and learned so much during my first class. It helped me feel grounded and in my body.

When Allyna was working with me, I learned where the skull meets the spine. That spot is where energy gets stuck for me. I used to think that my spine, and consequentially energy flow, ended a couple inches lower. Knowing that my spine extends further up helps me be more mindful of how to correctly ease the flow and release tension along the entire freeway of my spine.

Another moment that stands out to me is when we were getting up to seated position from lying on our backs. When I was instructed to slowly get up, I immediately moved to adjust my position. But then an invitation was made to “wait a couple seconds and let your body move first.” It was a blessed reminder to trust my body to receive the movement from the simple intention to sit. Or stand. Or dance. Or play. Or speak.

The following day, as I stood in front of cameras and journalists, I felt grounded and powerful. I had the privilege of speaking at a press conference as an Arab Jewish woman supporting the case of Imam Talib Rashid demanding the NYPD admit to illegal surveillance. I was feeling intense sadness and anger, and I was able to let them flow through me with ease as I delivered my story. I believe the Alexander Technique class enabled me to channel the full range of emotions of publicly speaking my truth with acceptance, vulnerability and confidence.