We make most of our movements unconsciously, that is, we do not give any conscious thought to noticing how we are moving, or to directing ourselves to move differently. With the Alexander Technique you can learn how to notice how you are doing what you are doing and learn to make a choice about whether or not you want to continue as you have been doing. This concept has two parts. The first part is to realize that our old way of moving, the one that feels natural and right to us, is habitual. Habitual moving is what we do unconsciously and without thinking.
Immediate reaction is almost always habitual reaction.
Therefore, to change how you move, your first reaction to any decision to move, or to do something, must be to wait a moment and do nothing. The second part of this concept is how to continue to do nothing and still reach your goal. You want to be able to reach for the cup without interfering with your natural coordination. Alexander experimented for a long time, and devised a series of orders or directions which helped him to not interfere with his coordination while doing any activity. Notice that each direction depends on the prior one.