Mr. Alexander defined the term use as the way in which one operates their own organism. While the term includes how we use our minds, let me first demonstrate the concept of good use in the physical arena using a photograph.
In the picture to the left, compare the two runners. The runner on the right has better use than the one on the left. Here's why.
First, the the body of the runner on the left is not going in the correct direction to move forward. His torso, hips, right leg and right foot are all turned toward the right, so his propulsion is not forward. His left arm is extended outward creating more wind resistance and his fingers are splayed out suggesting overuse of the extensors on the arm. He is adding extra work in the neck because the head in not balanced on the neck. There is also excess tension in the face.
In contrast, the runner on the right has his torso and limbs organized in a way that everything is propelling him forward toward the finish line. His foot is pointing forward and his foot is connected to the ground in what looks like a more stable and supportive position His head is more balanced although there is some tension in the neck. His face is also less tense, albeit there is a sense of determination that may be extra activity.
Interestingly, the runner on the left is probably not aware that he is doing all of this extra work. We learn how to run and then our system calibrates it's internal sense of what feels right. The fact that we may be doing extra work becomes part of our felt-sense of what is right. In other words, the extra tension that we use to do the tasks feels right to us. When we try to do the activity without that extra work, it feels wrong. I like to demonstrate the concept of feeling wrong by asking someone to throw an object with their non-dominant hand. Most people feel spastic trying to throw in this way.
The job of an Alexander teacher is to first make the student aware of their use and then to help them change it. The Alexander teacher tries to allow the student to try something new and be OK enough with feeling wrong. The skill of the Alexander teacher is in being able to transmit new msucular coordination patterns by using their hands.
Habitual patterns of thinking are as common as habitual patterns of movement. As brain imaging technology improves, neuroscientists are beginning to understand more about how the human brain operates. As behavioral testing becomes more integrated with functional diagnostic data such as FMRI's we will understand more about the inner workings of the mind.
Below are several brain scans of a person thinking various thoughts. In these scans, different colors indicate different levels of metabolic activity (blood flow) in the brain.
The red, yellow, green, grey and pruple areas represent very hig, high, medium, normal, and less than normal blood flow to those areas.
When we do things, be they physical or mental, we use strategies to get the job done. The first time we try something, it is often difficult to do. As we repeat the task, we learn a method for accomplishing what it is we want to do. Sometimes, we don't learn to do them optimally. Good use is trying to get closer to the optimal way of getting things done.
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