tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789624321464567376.post1345101134923767251..comments2024-03-19T06:41:58.377+00:00Comments on Jeff Hall's Alexander Technique Blog: Can we define "inhibition"?Jeff Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05782503053036115679noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789624321464567376.post-83160629938185758472010-02-18T11:46:07.116+00:002010-02-18T11:46:07.116+00:00Daniel Mihajlovic asks "Can saying "no&q...Daniel Mihajlovic asks <i>"Can saying "no" (as it is doing) really be called inhibition?"</i><br /><br />As I said, we have to accept initially that saying <i>"no"</i> is just a start. It's a conscious process. With enough repetition, we can make inhibition a subconscious process and that's when it has the desired effect.<br /><br />You also make a very good point about gravity. Our reaction to gravity is ongoing. How is gravity a stimulus in its own right? It's a factor to be taken into account in all our responses to stimuli. Our postural self-righting mechanism is designed to cope with gravity and we override its effect by using motor-control mechanisms with undue tension. Inhibition and direction are aimed at inhibiting these undue tensions and allowing our natural anti-gravity system"do the right thing" by itselfTheRealJeffHallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16974977044857402889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789624321464567376.post-12827255566249193572010-02-06T11:27:02.432+00:002010-02-06T11:27:02.432+00:00Great article, thank you! It's a great clarifi...Great article, thank you! It's a great clarification about the "timeline" of our thoughts, actions and reactions. I will definitely employ your ideas in my teachings...<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br />PS: Being not an native English speaker the defintions of some of the words seems a good idea to me. However, I think you should make them more obviuos. I really did not notice them reading your article. So some highlighting might help?Andreashttp://alexandertechnik.andreasdirscherl.denoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789624321464567376.post-11554601182122510792010-02-06T07:04:24.925+00:002010-02-06T07:04:24.925+00:00Hi Jeff,
just found your blog via twitter...
Thi...Hi Jeff,<br /><br />just found your blog via twitter...<br /><br />This is an really interesting topic. May I add, that Alexander also said, that conscious control was a "level" to be reached. (just as you said about inhibition)<br /><br />"Inhibition" is really something one could discuss about for hours and hours. For example: it is impossible to inhibit your reaction to gravity. You are already and constantly reacting. So in this case there can NEVER be a "no" before. Actually there can NEVER be a "no", because if you inhibited your reaction you would fall on the floor (well, as I write this I now realise that this is also sth one could choose to do, but... well you get my point) So in this case I really won't stop my reaction but rather change it.<br /><br />And my choice to project new means in order to change my way of being upright, has (of course) to include the inhibition of the old means. Well the question is if this has to be conscious? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. What do you think?<br /><br />This leads me to another idea. Quote: "I had to make the experience of receiving a stimulus and refusing to do anything immediately in response" (F.M.Alexander, The use of the self) Which means there is "nothing to do" in order to inhibit. But saying "no" actually is doing something. So my question here is: Can saying "no" (as it is doing) really be called inhibition?<br /><br />Well, anatomically yes. As neurons "choose" to either forward an electric impulse or inhibit to do so. But is this also true for our conscious minds? hmmm...<br /><br />Well there are many aspects. Looking forward to your answer<br /><br />Thanks for your great articles!<br />Daniel<br /><br />P.S. In my first language (german) we use the term esoteric quite different than you defined it. Very interesting! The root of the word goes back to Pythagoras who talked about two circles 1. esoteros (inner circle) 2.exoteros (outer circle) The difference between the two would be that the inner circle means that one cares about his inner world, his thoughts, habits, feelings, spiritual developement etc, whereas the outer circle is more about acting in the world, earn a living, politics etc. Interesting enough that the inner circle always knew about the outer, but the outer (politics, buisness etc) rarely really knows or appreciates the inner...Daniel Mihajlovichttp://www.alexandertekniikka.fi/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789624321464567376.post-86796903518824814522010-02-01T20:02:42.303+00:002010-02-01T20:02:42.303+00:00Thanks for your support Forest, I genuinely apprec...Thanks for your support Forest, I genuinely appreciate it. <br />BTW, did you notice that I put definitions on a few words that some people might not be familiar with? Try hovering the mouse over 'conundrum', 'esoteric' and 'recursive'.<br />This might seem patronising to those whose first language is English but not all my readers are English. What do you think?<br />JeffJeff Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05782503053036115679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789624321464567376.post-87125627781405784782010-02-01T14:43:24.581+00:002010-02-01T14:43:24.581+00:00As a relatively new AT teacher, I really enjoy you...As a relatively new AT teacher, I really enjoy your articles.<br />I have read AT related material for a dozen years mostly every day.<br />I appreciate your concise, accessible style. It sounds like you have a similar appreciation for FM's contributions that I have. To that you add clear writing style. Thanks.<br />ForrestForresthttp://forrestandsandy.comnoreply@blogger.com