Improve the use of yourself

The AT is a self-help method that teaches how to change habits of thought and action so that a more effective coordination can be established.

With the practice of this technique you will gain experience in knowing how to stop habitual patterns of co-contractions that tend to create a harmful use of ourselves. ‘Stopping’ is the first step to change and control our habitual way of action and reaction.

When you ‘stop’ you are still and your attention is expanded to the mental aspect of the performance of a movement. You can observe how the idea of doing something triggers the habitual pattern of posture and movement, and then consciously intervene by refraining from engaging habits of thought and action. The idea of doing is not any longer the driving force that will determine how to perform the action, and instead other small steps that secure the success of the action are going to be the focus of attention. Now that the chain of events is broken there is more space for freedom in movement.

The second step is the mental projection of the plan of action, or ‘directions’, to encourage a refinement in the postural support, the dynamic regulation of postural tone and attention, while keeping in check the first step, the prevention of the harmful habits. When this two steps have linked, other plans of actions will be added depending on the activity at hand. Then the performance of the act is carried out while keeping the projection of the directions.

This process will gradually change and refine the coordination of the student.