Golden Times May/June 2017

LIVING THE
ALEXANDER
WAY OF LIFE
by Liz Jeffries
“...You have come in by train this
morning, I see... I observe the
second half of a return ticket in
the palm of your left glove. You
must have started early, and
yet you had a good drive in a
dog- cart, along heavy roads,
before you reached the station”.
The lady gave a violent start
and stared in bewilderment at
my companion. “There is no
mystery, my dear madam”, said
he, smiling. “The left arm of your
jacket is spattered with mud in
no less than seven places. The
marks are perfectly fresh. There
is no vehicle save a dog-cart
which throws up mud in that way
and then only when you sit on the
left-hand side of the driver”.
From the early series in the fifties
to the present day Benedict
Cumberbatch, what is Sherlock
Holmes best known for? His
acute observational skills! Okay,
so some of them might stretch
the imagination a little, but the
basic premise applies; we learn
much more and can participate
more when we really observe
what is going on around us.
Our observations, certainly on
a day to day basis, are usually
outwardly. We notice things
“I can see clearly now...”
about other people, what they’re
wearing, what they are doing,
we take note of the weather.
We might look at ourselves and
note how we are feeling, are we
happy, fed up, a little tired?
All of this is natural and good, but
do we really know what we do
in everyday activities? If I asked
you, “How do you get out of a
chair?”, would you be able to tell
me what happens to your head
when you start to get up, are you
well balanced over your feet, are
your hips and knees in line with
your feet, how much tension do
you have in your body, do you
have a closed or open posture? It
is quite likely that you won’t know
all the answers unless you really
stop and think through what you
do. The reason is because we are
creatures of habit. We just do
what we do without thinking, but,
over the years, these patterns of
behaviour can be harmful to our
health and mobility and lead to
pain, tension and stiffness. All
this can have a detrimental effect
on the body. Learning how to
use the body in the way it was
designed invariably leads to being
pain free, balanced with better
mobility and poise. It certainly
makes the aging process more
enjoyable and my goodness most
of us need all the help we can get!
The people who come along to
my weekly groups in Hastings
and Bexhill are certainly seeing a
difference in how they perform
everyday activities. They are
seeing an improvement in their
pain relief and stability. If you
would like to know more do get
in touch. Individual and group
places are available and you can
book one or more sessions. www.
alexandertechniquehastings.
co.uk; 01424 465838/07929
725156.
One final tip on observation;
when you next go out, look up at
the top of buildings. I never did
until my daughter, who is a fine
arts graduate, recommended
that I do. You can find some very
interesting little sculptures up
there.
The song title, of course, is by
Johnny Nash
The first three Golden Times
readers who get in touch with me
can have a free one hour place
on one of my courses at The
Wellington Centre, Hastings, or
The Body Junction, Bexhill
CQC rated “Good”
ARDATH CARE HOME BEXHILL
An elegant and spacious Edwardian property situated in the
seaside town of Bexhill, just one mile from the town centre.
• A warm, welcoming, friendly atmosphere and
comfortable surroundings.
• Excellent care provided by highly trained staff
encompassing the mental, physical and emotional
wellbeing of each resident, ensuring they maintain
their highest quality of life.
• Single or double rooms, overlooking the grounds,
with en suite WC and shower facilities.
• Two comfortable lounges.
• A provisions shop and hairdressing salon.
• Award winning Pet Friendly policy.
• Permanent and respite vacancies currently
available.
Prices start from £597 per week, based on single
room occupancy, person centred care for standard
dependency needs, assistance with day-to-day tasks
as required, all meals, utilities, laundry, cleaning and
maintenance.
To book a visit or for further information please call Care Home Manager, Lindsey Sherwood,
on 01424 210538, email ardath@sussexhousing.org.uk or visit www.sussexhousing.org.uk.
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