Distinction #9
Healthy Selfishness vs Harmful Selfishness
Mother Theresa herself said she was selfish as she loved and enjoyed taking care of the poor and sick children in Calcutta. That can be described as healthy selfishness because it includes the good of others.
On occasion, we may be selfish to protect ourselves from some destructive force at work in another individual or a situation.
Mostly, we are selfish for our own benefit just to cater to our fears and that type can be described as harmful selfishness because it focuses on our separatedness from others. It is good neither for us as it strengthens our fears, nor for others because we withhold loving behavior away from them.
No one is ever truly selfish, there are only people who behave selfishly out of fear!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Distinction # 8
Closed Surrender vs Open Surrender
To surrender passively to a situation simply because we assume we are powerless in dealing with it implies defeat and lethargy. It is a mind decision to give up and shut down which makes us feel stuck somewhere with no exit in sight. It is a form of passive inner resistance. It is not true surrender. It is resignation. In this way of handling a situation, we are left with no choice.
To surrender to what is in the moment so we can move on and take action is an inner surrender whereby we let go of inner resistance. It comes from the wisdom of knowing how to yield rather than opposing the flow of life. Thus, we can keep our options open for the next moment and take action towards a better situation if we so choose. In this way of handling a situation, we still have choices.
Closed Surrender vs Open Surrender
To surrender passively to a situation simply because we assume we are powerless in dealing with it implies defeat and lethargy. It is a mind decision to give up and shut down which makes us feel stuck somewhere with no exit in sight. It is a form of passive inner resistance. It is not true surrender. It is resignation. In this way of handling a situation, we are left with no choice.
To surrender to what is in the moment so we can move on and take action is an inner surrender whereby we let go of inner resistance. It comes from the wisdom of knowing how to yield rather than opposing the flow of life. Thus, we can keep our options open for the next moment and take action towards a better situation if we so choose. In this way of handling a situation, we still have choices.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Distinction # 7
Detachment vs Non-attachment
Easy to confuse the two, yet they are almost opposite!
Being detached is a form of disconnect around what we are detached from, it is a form of indifference.
Non attachment to things or outcomes, on the other end, is a mindful choice which does not prevent us from appreciating, understanding and fully embracing life. It is a form of reverence for what is.
Detachment vs Non-attachment
Easy to confuse the two, yet they are almost opposite!
Being detached is a form of disconnect around what we are detached from, it is a form of indifference.
Non attachment to things or outcomes, on the other end, is a mindful choice which does not prevent us from appreciating, understanding and fully embracing life. It is a form of reverence for what is.
Distinction # 6
Zoning Out and Zoning Out :)
Hi Everyone!
After my last entry, I started observing when I was zoning out and when I was zoning in and realized how affected we are by what we zone out on because we tend to merge with it. So it seems to me that zoning out can be a beneficial thing or a dangerous thing depending on what we zone out on. For instance, zoning out on a violent movie or depressing daily news will have a different effect on our energy than zoning out on a sunset or a peaceful nature scene.
So although I said that both zoning out or zoning in could be beneficial in different ways, I wanted to offer clarification and recommendation to be careful what you zone out on!:)
Zoning Out and Zoning Out :)
Hi Everyone!
After my last entry, I started observing when I was zoning out and when I was zoning in and realized how affected we are by what we zone out on because we tend to merge with it. So it seems to me that zoning out can be a beneficial thing or a dangerous thing depending on what we zone out on. For instance, zoning out on a violent movie or depressing daily news will have a different effect on our energy than zoning out on a sunset or a peaceful nature scene.
So although I said that both zoning out or zoning in could be beneficial in different ways, I wanted to offer clarification and recommendation to be careful what you zone out on!:)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Distinction # 5
Zoning In vs Zoning Out
As I am enjoying my vacation on Cape Cod, it is also a great opportunity to ponder and observe myself in different states. I noticed that sometimes, I zone out in awe of a beautiful scenery, merging with the peace of a solitary pond, or simply turning into a turtle soaking up the sun after a good swim. I become the pond, the trees, the lilies or the turtle. I become one with nature and enjoy the state of no-thinking which comes with it. In so doing, it seems I am going back to a more primitive, pre-thinking state.
At other times, I sit in meditation on a rock by the water and I zone in observing my thoughts passing by and consciously letting them go, to go back to the peaceful center of no-thinking. The experience of peace I get to may feel the same as when I zone out but there is a major difference, I am going beyond my habitual thinking patterns to reach a place of higher consciousness beyond thought itself.
Zoning Out, we get a break from too much thinking but we do not change how we handle the challenges of life once we get back to it.
Zoning In, we strengthen our ability to handle life challenges . When we witness our thinking while it is happening, we distance ourselves from it while strengthening a higher level of consciousness in ourselves. The more we do this, the more we can benefit from the wisdom of this higher level of consciousness in our everyday decisions and actions.
So although zoning out and zoning in are both great ways to get a break from this addiction to over-thinking we all have; to grow in practical consciousness, we want to make sure we include zoning in as a practice!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Distinction # 4
Co-dependent vs Co-committed
This distinction comes in a lot when talking about relationships, not just romantic ones. We all inter-are as humans living in a society, and this type of co-dependence is unavoidable and an opportunity to learning and growing together.
However, intensely co-dependent relationships tend to prevent us from being all we can be. In this type of relationships, partners cater to each others neurosis, strengthening them in the process.
Deeply co-committed relationships on the other end help us thrive towards the best we can be. In this type of relationships, partners support each other to overcome their challenges. They are comfortable attending to their goals separately while enjoying each other every time they come together after being apart. They enriched the couple by what they do away from each other and by learning and growing individually.
The Alexander technique promotes healthy relationships with others by promoting a healthy relationship with ourselves through Self-Awareness, Mental and Physical Non-Grasping and the Practice of Being or coming back to the Present Moment.
Co-dependent vs Co-committed
This distinction comes in a lot when talking about relationships, not just romantic ones. We all inter-are as humans living in a society, and this type of co-dependence is unavoidable and an opportunity to learning and growing together.
However, intensely co-dependent relationships tend to prevent us from being all we can be. In this type of relationships, partners cater to each others neurosis, strengthening them in the process.
Deeply co-committed relationships on the other end help us thrive towards the best we can be. In this type of relationships, partners support each other to overcome their challenges. They are comfortable attending to their goals separately while enjoying each other every time they come together after being apart. They enriched the couple by what they do away from each other and by learning and growing individually.
The Alexander technique promotes healthy relationships with others by promoting a healthy relationship with ourselves through Self-Awareness, Mental and Physical Non-Grasping and the Practice of Being or coming back to the Present Moment.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Living Body-Wisdom with Cecile Raynor: One distinction came up today so I decided to post...
Living Body-Wisdom with Cecile Raynor: One distinction came up today so I decided to post...: One distinction came up today so I decided to post it on my blog. Distinction #3 Going with the Flow of what? We often justify doing wh...
One distinction came up today so I decided to post it on my blog.
Distinction #3
Going with the Flow of what?
We often justify doing what we want to do by saying we are going with the flow assuming it is always a good thing. But is it always so? It seems to me that going with the flow of life in full awareness is definitely a good thing as we are embracing what is in the present moment instead of fighting with it.
However, going with the flow of our unconscious drive may be a way to cater to our fears and desires. And in that situation, going with the flow may not be the appropriate nor beneficial thing to do as it strengthens the unconscious drive.
Does that ring true to you? :)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Distinction #2
Reaction vs Response
The Alexander Technique helps us respond to life instead of react to it.
The difference between the two comes from taking the time to stop and think about what it is we want to do and how we want to do it, a bit like checking for cars right and left before crossing a road so we can do it safely. A fraction of a second is all it takes sometimes.
When we learn to be less reactive, we create less unnecessary tension in our body and we function from a place of integration and expansiveness instead of a place of disconnect and contraction.
So be on the look out for your desire to react to situations, people, words and choose not to so you can respond from a place of choice and awareness. Life becomes so much easier and enjoyable!:)
The more we do it, the easier it becomes......although it does take some determination at the beginning!
We always have a choice. Not always in what comes to us but in how we deal with what presents itself.
Reaction vs Response
The Alexander Technique helps us respond to life instead of react to it.
The difference between the two comes from taking the time to stop and think about what it is we want to do and how we want to do it, a bit like checking for cars right and left before crossing a road so we can do it safely. A fraction of a second is all it takes sometimes.
When we learn to be less reactive, we create less unnecessary tension in our body and we function from a place of integration and expansiveness instead of a place of disconnect and contraction.
So be on the look out for your desire to react to situations, people, words and choose not to so you can respond from a place of choice and awareness. Life becomes so much easier and enjoyable!:)
The more we do it, the easier it becomes......although it does take some determination at the beginning!
We always have a choice. Not always in what comes to us but in how we deal with what presents itself.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
A friend of mine told me he liked the distinctions he heard me come up with. Noticing it was helping others in different ways, I decided to create periodical entries sharing these distinctions in the hope you may find them interesting and helpful.
Some will be related to the Alexander Technique, others about the business of living and how we make decisions. Please let me know if you like them!
My distinction #1
Relaxing vs releasing!
Relaxing is more commonly known and often connotes a desire to melt into a puddle or at least slouch on a couch or lay down
Releasing on the other end, is a letting go of unnecessary tension that allows us to expand into our space like bread dough rising so that we feel taller, wider, lighter and we can breathe better.
The Alexander Technique teachers you how to release unnecessary tension which are constricting your skeleton so it can expand back into its full length and width.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Hi Everyone! This is exciting....my first blog entry to date.
My name is Cecile Raynor. Have been teaching the Alexander Technique for over 20 years in the Boston area and Paris where I am from and where I studied. At some point also trained as a Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, a healing modality, also called "Lazy Men's Yoga" because the practitioner does all the work while the receiver is chilling out blissfully!:
The Alexander Technique and my 25 years meditation practice permeates all I do from my way to practice Thai Yoga to my Kinesthetic Artwork, my parenting, my personal yoga practice, my relationships...when I say everything, I mean it! It even helped me teach myself how to ride a bike this past month after a lifetime of believing it was too late to start!
Although many teachers specialize in working with dancers or musicians or whatever their complementary profession is, I tend to embrace people of all backgrounds and can help everyone with the same dedication. I feel fortunate to be able to communicate well both through my hands-on work and verbally. As importantly, I am a compassionate and patient teacher and even after 20 some years of practice, I remain just as passionate about my work as I did when I started. :)
As far as I know, I am the only Alexander Technique teacher who offers Alexander Technique based Thai Yoga and combo sessions tailored to each individuals according to their needs and preferences. These sessions have become very popular as individuals feel they are receiving the best of both worlds and they are!:)
With the Alexander Technique, you learn to stop using your body in a way that creates excess tension as you go about your daily activities. As a result, discomfort and pain ease away, often to never return. It is a preventive mind/body method to reclaim better postural balance and ease of movements, shedding harmful habitual patterns of body and mind in the process!
When you come to a Thai Yoga session, you enjoy the benefits of a Yoga practice but I do all the work relieving you from muscular tension, improving circulation, boosting your immune system, and balancing the natural flow of energy of your body. It can help you if you do not do yoga on your own or it can expand your comfort zone in your yoga practice if you already do yoga. My Alexander Technique hands are an assurance that no matter where I place my hands, I am actually working with your whole body in mind.
When you sign up for a combo session, you get some benefits from both yet it is very clear to you which one I do when. Despite the overlap between both modalities, the feel of my Thai Yoga hands and the feel of my Alexander hands differ very clearly! An experience to have!
For more info about my Alexander Technique and Thai Yoga work go to www.AlexanderTec.com
To peek at my artwork, go to www.studiocecile.com
My name is Cecile Raynor. Have been teaching the Alexander Technique for over 20 years in the Boston area and Paris where I am from and where I studied. At some point also trained as a Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, a healing modality, also called "Lazy Men's Yoga" because the practitioner does all the work while the receiver is chilling out blissfully!:
The Alexander Technique and my 25 years meditation practice permeates all I do from my way to practice Thai Yoga to my Kinesthetic Artwork, my parenting, my personal yoga practice, my relationships...when I say everything, I mean it! It even helped me teach myself how to ride a bike this past month after a lifetime of believing it was too late to start!
Although many teachers specialize in working with dancers or musicians or whatever their complementary profession is, I tend to embrace people of all backgrounds and can help everyone with the same dedication. I feel fortunate to be able to communicate well both through my hands-on work and verbally. As importantly, I am a compassionate and patient teacher and even after 20 some years of practice, I remain just as passionate about my work as I did when I started. :)
As far as I know, I am the only Alexander Technique teacher who offers Alexander Technique based Thai Yoga and combo sessions tailored to each individuals according to their needs and preferences. These sessions have become very popular as individuals feel they are receiving the best of both worlds and they are!:)
With the Alexander Technique, you learn to stop using your body in a way that creates excess tension as you go about your daily activities. As a result, discomfort and pain ease away, often to never return. It is a preventive mind/body method to reclaim better postural balance and ease of movements, shedding harmful habitual patterns of body and mind in the process!
When you come to a Thai Yoga session, you enjoy the benefits of a Yoga practice but I do all the work relieving you from muscular tension, improving circulation, boosting your immune system, and balancing the natural flow of energy of your body. It can help you if you do not do yoga on your own or it can expand your comfort zone in your yoga practice if you already do yoga. My Alexander Technique hands are an assurance that no matter where I place my hands, I am actually working with your whole body in mind.
When you sign up for a combo session, you get some benefits from both yet it is very clear to you which one I do when. Despite the overlap between both modalities, the feel of my Thai Yoga hands and the feel of my Alexander hands differ very clearly! An experience to have!
For more info about my Alexander Technique and Thai Yoga work go to www.AlexanderTec.com
To peek at my artwork, go to www.studiocecile.com
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