Moving Well – Even When You’re Rushing

We’ve all felt that frantic buzz—rushing out the door, running through our to-do list, half a step ahead of ourselves. But what if moving faster didn’t have to mean moving harder? What if we could learn to move well even when rushing—to stay calm, coordinated, and centred, even in life’s faster moments?

Why Moving Well Even When Rushing Matters

When we’re under pressure, it’s easy to disconnect from our body. We clench, brace, and push through, assuming that effort equals efficiency. But the Alexander Technique reminds us that ease is not the opposite of speed—it’s the foundation of it. Moving well, even when rushing, helps prevent tension, enhances coordination, and keeps us grounded when the world around us speeds up

Are We Really Hurrying Up – or Hurrying Down?

Usually, when we hurry, we are no longer moving with ease.  Our attention often jumps ahead of the present moment. Our mind races toward the goal or destination while our body struggles to keep up. We try to get more done and we focus on the finish line, trying to get there faster.  This disconnection leads to physical tension—tight jaws, hunched shoulders, shallow breathing, and poor posture

We tend to lean forward as if we can arrive sooner by throwing ourselves into the future. But instead of helping, this throws the body out of balance. The result? We move with more strain, not more speed and this actually slows us down

The Weight of the Head Matters

The human head weighs about 12 pounds — like a heavy bowling ball. When it’s balanced over the spine, it’s surprisingly easy to carry.  This is because the correct muscles (like the suboccipitals) are designed to do this with minimal effort

However, when the head moves out of it’s natural alignment (because we’re rushing), the body’s larger, superficial muscles kick in to manage the load. They weren’t designed for this job. It’s like holding a full kettle close to your body versus at arm’s length — same object, very different effort

Moving Well Even When Rushing

What if “hurrying” could feel light and free?

Rather than lunging toward the future, we can stay present and centred. In the Alexander Technique, this means allowing the body to lengthen and expand upward—even in motion. Let the knees lead the stride while your head remains balanced over your spine. The body moves forward, not by force, but with ease and coordination.  This allows us to move well even when we’re in a rush

What Changes When We Hurry Differently

• More ease – When your body stays aligned, movement becomes smoother
• Less tension – You avoid unnecessary strain in the neck, back, and shoulders
• More awareness – You stay connected to the moment, even when you’re moving quickly
• More energy – You’re not burning it up through tight muscles or inefficient movement

✨ Try This Next Time:

Next time you feel rushed:

• Pause for a moment
• Let your spine gently lengthen upward
• Let your head stay light and poised
• Think of your knees moving forward — not your chest or chin
• Start walking

Notice how this changes the quality of your movement

Closing Thoughts

It is possible to move well even when we are rushing.  We don’t need to push ourselves harder or tense our muscles.  Moving well is about awareness.  Just a brief pause enables us to come back into the moment and reconnect with our bodies.  When the body moves with awareness instead of automatic tension and striving, it can carry us forward with more ease and efficiency

The ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching reminds us, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” This gentle truth points to a way of moving through life with more ease and less strain. If you’re curious, you can explore the full Tao Te Ching online

Want to Learn More?

As a mindfulness and Alexander Technique teacher in the Saltash / Plymouth area, I help people reduce stress, find balance, improve posture, and feel better in mind and body

Get in touch to find out more or explore our courses. Learn how small changes can make a big difference to your ease, balance, and wellbeing