The implication of this article thus far is that the Alexander Technique is simply about learning how to lessen undue muscle tension. While that is a central theme of the technique, there is more to it than that. It's also about cultivating an alignment of one's head, neck and spine that has characteristics of ease, control and coordination. Let me provide an example. Recently, I was skiing the moguls at Mt. Sunapee ski area in New Hampshire.
Moguls are natural bumps that are created in the snow by skiers' turns.
Anyway, although the moguls I was skiing on that day were very close together, I found that I could negotiate the turns that were necessary using my knees, while my upper body stayed still. This may seem somewhat abstract if you haven't had an experience of your head, neck and spine when they are in their optimum relationship. Nonetheless, the result was that I found my balance improving, the quick turns became easier and I had more control over them. Now I don't mean to imply that there was some miracle at work during that experience because what happened was the result of a lot of practice in both disciplines. I'd like to provide a second example of the benefits of the Alexander Technique for sports.