Glossary

Inhibition

The term ‘inhibition’ is used in the Alexander technique in the scientific or physiological sense. It is about stopping, particularly about stopping over-quick habitual reflex activity.

Specifically, in the Alexander technique, inhibition is the process of consciously not reacting – of withholding action – in response to a stimulus or stimuli.

FM Alexander explained inhibition as “the act of refusing to respond to the primary desire to gain an end”. That is, inhibition is the act of refusing to respond automatically and habitually to any stimulus to ‘do’ or to achieve a particular end or goal.

Inhibiting, or stopping, allows a person a moment’s pause, in which to consciously choose whether or not to respond to a stimulus, and if so, how to respond. Stopping our automatic habitual responses – whether thoughts, actions, or habitual postural behaviour – allows the possibility of real choice and leaves the way open for change. It clears the way for a new, more consciously chosen response and constructive action to occur.

Alexander saw inhibition as crucial because, “As long as the brain is preoccupied with the projection of messages which result in bringing about our habitual manner of use, there is little chance of breaking the vicious circle of the associated reflex activity in ‘doing’.”

As he also said to a pupil he was teaching, “Like a good fellow, stop the things that are wrong first.”

There are three types of inhibition, or three levels of inhibition.

• There is inhibition in terms of choosing to stop and say “no”. This is about physically stopping, taking time, and refusing to respond automatically. It is about creating a space for change.

• There is inhibition in terms of the ‘non-doing’ or preventing of harmful habitual responses that lead to a misuse of our whole psychophysical selves. (The Alexander directions are inhibitory in this sense. They aim to prevent unnecessary reaction, contraction, or strain within the body.) Please see the glossary definition of ‘non-doing’ for more detail.

• There is inhibition in terms of allowing the nervous system to quieten. Margaret Goldie (a first-generation teacher who worked closely with Alexander) emphasised this type of inhibition when she talked about “choosing to be quiet”, “allowing quiet”, or “stopping in order to be quiet”. She quoted Alexander as having said, “Choose to be quiet with particular attention to your neck and head.” This quietening is comparable to the quietening of the mind that occurs in meditation and mindfulness.

The three types of inhibition work together and reinforce each other.

Also see ‘non-doing.’

See other glossary terms and concepts.