The power of kinaesthetic weirdness
If you felt like you were leaning forwards at an angle of 30 degrees or more. What would you do?
I’m betting you’d lean back.
When I give an Alexander lesson, my pupil often ends up feeling like they’re leaning forwards at an angle of 30 degrees or more. So what do they do?
They try to lean back — but I don’t let them. Instead I put them in front of a mirror and show them they are standing upright. They see it. They remark on it. They’re generally bowled over by the difference between how they feel they’re standing and what they see in the mirror.
So what do they do next? Surely they don’t try and lean back again?
Yes they do. 
Why is your kinaesthetic sense so weird?
Actually, your kinaesthetic sense (your feel for what your body is doing) isn’t weird at all, it’s your interpretation that’s wrong.
Your kinaesthetic sense is not really telling you what you’re doing: it’s telling you what you’re doing differently from usual. So if you usually lean backwards, it will only comment when you stop leaning backwards. When you stop leaning backwards, it will tell you you’re leaning forwards of where you usually are.
You will only think you’re leaning forwards because you thought you were straight when you were leaning backwards as usual. And you’ll feel like the difference is far larger than it really is, hence the 30 degrees.
Have I taught you something 
or just confused you? 
Let me know.
P.S. Here’s more about kinaesthetic weirdness.
Next: How to deal with scoliosis
Further Resources
Here are some ways I can help you further.
Wherever you live
- If you’re not already getting my free weekly article delivered to your inbox, then go here to get it.
- Repoise is our membership site for people who are serious about improving themselves (and getting out of pain as they do that). Find out more here: SmilingBackMethod.com/Repoise
When you join, you will:–
- have daily access to me. Together we will work out what’s going wrong for you and how to fix it
- learn from reading other Repoise members’ questions and following their progress as they work with me
- get access to all my articles, not just the ones that are published on my web-site
- I’m writing a book about my work. It will come out on the 1st July 2010. The book I was going to write this year (on the Tube Principle) was a bit too specialised so I changed my mind about writing that book. This new book will still include a chapter or two on the Tube Principle — and, of course, much more besides.
If you’re in Liverpool (or can get to Liverpool)
- I’m also running introductory workshops in Liverpool teaching you how to apply my work to improve your life. Go here for details of the next workshop: SmilingBackMethod.com/workshop
- There’s no substitute for individual lessons. Ring me on 0151 708 6172 to book your initial lesson. (Leave your number so I can get back to you).
If you’re further away and can’t get to Liverpool
- There’s still no substitute for individual lessons. Here’s where you can find a teacher near you in the UK or elsewhere
- Remember to still do the things I listed above for everyone. Even if you’re having lessons from someone else, you will find these a very great help. They’ll help you understand your lessons better and get a lot more out of them. All my own pupils read my weekly articles and several of them are active members of Repoise.
Next: How to deal with scoliosis
