Alexander- Endgaining and the Means Whereby

Endgaining, in Alexander terms is focusing on achieving a goal at the expense of paying attention to the "means whereby" one accomplishes it. Endgaining is probably the default setting for most tasks for the majority of people.

You can take any task, and choose to try to do it in a way that focuses on the means whereby.

Focussing on the "means whereby" means being aware of how you are doing it. Using inhibition and direction while doing it.

Individual lessons usually focus on simple small activities, like sitting or standing. Gradually over the years I've been "Alexandering" I've increased the number of activities that I apply the technique in. I now more often than not remember to Alexander while I'm driving.

Mirror, signal, allow the neck to be free, manoever, in such a way that the torso widens and lengthens and sending the knees out and away.

It's combined so seamlessly into some of my yoga poses that I couldn't not do it.

Learning a new pose, then end gaining creeps in again.

Too many people about, or too much stimulation in general makes applying the technique difficult for me. Feeling rushed or hurried or desperate to finish the task in hand, is pretty much a dictionary definition of endgaining.

Some tasks are more amenable to the "means whereby" than others.

For me I think I will have reached a sort of Zen type mastery when I can manage a large supermarket shopping trip while concentrating on the means whereby rather than "get me out of here".

Or dig up couch grass without getting as much root as possible pulled out becoming more important than not clenching my jaw or hurting my hands and back while doing it.