Understanding Posture as Movement Not Position

Many of us think of posture as a position—a way of holding ourselves that’s either “right” or “wrong.” But in truth, posture is a dynamic state, not a static shape. With the Alexander Technique, we move away from forcing our bodies into idealised positions and instead learn how to cultivate dynamic balance and posture in daily life

In our last post, Moving Well, Even When Rushing, we explored how movement can be light and fluid, even in a rush. Today, we take that one step further and look at how stillness itself is never truly still—but alive with micro-movements that support natural balance

Posture Is Not a Pose

There are no perfect positions to aim for in the Alexander Technique. Your head, spine, limbs, and joints are meant to move in relationship with each other, constantly adjusting to your environment

Think of your spine: it’s supported not by rigid muscle contraction but by an elegant dance of continuous, small adjustments made by deep postural muscles like the erector spinae. Similarly, your head balances atop your spine, subtly recalibrating through the work of the sub-occipital muscles—a process that’s almost imperceptible unless you really tune in

Even when you believe you’re sitting or standing “still,” your body is constantly making micro-adjustments to maintain balance. True posture is never about being stiff—it’s about being responsive

The Cost of Fixed Positions

Unfortunately, many of our habitual ways of “holding” ourselves are actually working against natural balance

For instance, locking the knees back in standing might feel stable, but it pushes the knee joint into overextension. This not only places undue strain on ligaments and cartilage, but also shifts the pelvis forward, distorting the spine’s alignment and affecting the neck, shoulders, and lower back

This braced, passive stance reduces mobility and increases tension—and ironically, makes us more prone to falls and fatigue

Releasing the Habit of Holding

Letting go of these rigid patterns may feel strange at first. If you’re used to bracing your knees, releasing that habit may temporarily feel unstable. But this instability is a good thing. It’s your body relearning how to coordinate movement through active engagement rather than passive holding

As we allow our muscles to work more freely, we become more responsive, balanced, and grounded. The body moves with greater ease, and we begin to experience posture not as a frozen stance, but as a living relationship between parts of the body—and between the body and gravity

Dynamic Balance in Daily Life

When you explore posture in this way, you realise that stillness is never static. It’s composed of subtle shifts, continuous recalibrations, and gentle balance. With practice, the Alexander Technique helps you feel more at home in your body—not by doing more, but by doing less, more consciously.

By exploring dynamic balance and posture through the Alexander Technique, we come home to a body that’s responsive, supported, and free

This is closely related to how we move when things speed up—something I explore in more depth here

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