This article was posted by CrystalWind.ca.
Alexander Technique - Marjorie Barstow
Category: Alexander Technique
Marjorie Barstow
Master Teacher of the Alexander Technique
Photo Courtesy of Holly Sweeney
There isn't anything either right or wrong when dealing with co-ordination. There are degrees of movement. Life is really moving from one position to another. We never stop and say, "This is right--this is my posture, this is the way I ought to be". If we do that, we're stiff trying to hold that posture. It isn't natural for our bodies to be held in positions. - Marjorie Barstow, quoted in Practical Marj
Marjorie Barstow, from Lincoln, Nebraska was the first person to graduate from F. M. Alexander's first training course in 1933. After working as A. R. Alexander's assistant in Boston and New York in the 1930's, she returned to Lincoln.
She continued teaching until shortly before her death in 1995 at age 95. During the last 2 decades of her teaching, she attracted thousands of students to her workshops Lincoln, and around the world, with her unique approach to teaching Alexander's discoveries.
The videos below will give you some idea of her teaching style towards the end of her life, including her emphasis on students' taking responsibility for themselves, her use of a wide range of activities as frameworks within which to teach the Alexander Technique, the power and delicacy of her hands and much more.
Source Here
Please note: When most of these videos were shot in 1990 and 1991, Marj was well over 90 and suffering from severe osteoporosis which limited her ability to reach her full height. Despite that, her movements were as fluid as ever. In Alexander Technique jargon, her conditions of use had diminshed with age, but her manner of use - and with that, the power and clairity of her touch - was at its peak.* During this workshop, she taught for 6 hours a day - mostly standing on her feet - for seven straight days! These videos were taken from almost 20 hours of raw footage that include a great deal more valuable material.
I can't teach anything that I haven't done myself. I may not always do it, you know we don't always do what we should (life would be very dull if we did). But I know when I want to have more freedom, I know what I can do and what I must do, then I make the choice of whether or not to do it. - Marjorie Barstow, quoted in Practical Marj
CrystalWind.ca is free to access and use.
Disclaimer Health
All post and information provided within this blog is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this website. Please consult with your healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes or taking supplements that may interfere with medications. Any products or information discussed are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any illness, disease or lifestyle. Please consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this website.

Spirit Animal Totem Of The Day!
Crystal Of The Day!
Latest Articles
CrystalWind.ca is free to use because of
donations from people like you.
Donate Now »
Alexander Technique - Marjorie Barstow
Who is Online Now
We have 899 guests and no members online
Featured This Month
Birth Totem - Otter
Birth Totem Otter Birth dates: January 20 - February 18 Birth Totem: Otter... Read more
Amethyst: A Stone for the Age of Aquarius
Amethyst has long been thought of as a "stone of spirituality and contentmen... Read more
The Rowan Tree - January 21 - February 17
The Fire Festival Of Brigantia Celtic Symbol : The Green Dragon Zodiac Deg... Read more
Rest & Cleansing Moon
Otter – Quaking Aspen – Silver January 20 to February 18 The Rest and Clea... Read more
Imbolc Customs
Imbolc, (pronounced im-bolk) or Candlemass, Imbolg, Bride's Day, Oimelc, and... Read more
Imbolc - The Feast of Brighid
Image source: The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card Deck.Get it here... Read more
Brigid, Celtic Goddess of Fire
Image From the Crystal Wind Oracle App Available on IOS, Android and Am... Read more
Imbolc and the Promise of Spring
Winter’s medicine is about rest, recovery, and withdrawing inside ourselves.... Read more
Imbolc Lore
Imbolc (pronounced "IM-bulk", "IM mol'g" or "EM-bowl/k") is one of the Great... Read more
Aquarius Mythology
The Aquarius Myth The Aquarius myth follows the story of Ganymede, a young ... Read more
How to Make a Brigid's Cross
The Brigid's Cross is a traditional craft made at Imbolc and Candlemas by Pa... Read more
Sun in Aquarius
An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Aquarius The ruler of Aquarius ... Read more