Alexander's Primary Control - Part I

Before he coined the name “primary control”, Alexander simply wrote about “the true primary movement” that coordinates us within gravity.

This rings truer for us in PILANDES.

Previously, I wrote about the difference between consciously cueing a Pilates exercise and the energy-efficient support automatically directed by your Postural Movement System (PMS).

This automatic organisation by PMS is the “true and primary movement” that FM discovered. Of course, it wasn’t that he discovered we have postural tone – scientists know that – it was that he discovered that appropriate tone is generated by specific unidirectional movements, which he called “directions”, around 5 Postural Joints.

Many somatic therapies – Tai Chi, Pilates & Yoga, to name three – all include a concept of “direction” in their practice. Scientists have also researched how the brain identifies the direction of “up”. So why is Alexander’s concept of “directions” so different?

Because of their concrete nature and the extraordinary efficacy in their application.

The former I can write about now, the latter you need to experience.

PILANDES 5 POSTURAL JOINTS

The concrete nature of Alexander’s “directions” comes from his discovery that our “true primary movement” emerges out of a collection of delicate movements that pivot around your 5 Postural Joints. This is a foundational concept in PILANDES. My one-year certification training in PILANDES in Japan essentially explores how these 5 Postural Joints (Top, Cow, Wing, Flamenco & Hips) are being utilised in each of 61 Pilates Mat exercises. It’s concrete, clear and takes time to implement consistently.

It can be applied to anything, which is exciting once you grasp the idea.

And “primary control” is how FM tied it all together. Today, not only do neuroscientists ignore the postural directions that Alexander discovered – they actually have no idea they exist. APAs* and the concept of a directional “up” is about as close as they get. But of course – how could they know if they had never had a direct experience of how Alexander’s “directions” can transform even the simplest of everyday movements?

PILANDES EXPERIENCE

It’s quite bold of me to scold modern science for ignoring a vast new area of research. It’s also hard to back up my opinion, given that there is no research! The answer to this has always been:

Experience what happens in a PILANDES (Alexander) session before you dismiss the idea.

That’s exactly what eminent physiologist Tristan D.M. Roberts, author of Neurophysiology of Postural Mechanisms (1967, 2nd ed. 1978), did. He went to London to have lessons with Walter Carrington, who carried on Alexander’s training after FM died in 1955. After taking lessons for several months, Tristan was anecdotally heard to remark:※

“My Alexander lessons clearly demonstrated a powerful neurophysiological mechanism.” He paused. “And there is nothing written about this in the literature.”

Aren’t you curious to experience this “powerful neurophysiological mechanism” through the 5 Postural Joints?

NEXT: Alexander’s Primary Control – Part II

Stay Tuned.

* APA stands for Anticipatory Postural Adjustment, and these are recognised by neuroscientists as automatic muscular tonal changes that precede a voluntary action. They are considered as localised phenomena, whereas Alexander considers them an expression of an entire organisational response to a movement intention.

※ This was a story I heard as a trainee in London during the late 1970s. I have no recollection today who I heard it from, only that I did! It stuck in my memory.

2026 Workshops

LONDON:
August 8 – PILANDES
August 23 – Trauma-Informed AT

NEW YORK:
October 24 – PILANDES
October 25 – Trauma-Informed AT

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