Inhibition: Much Ado About Nothing

I don’t mean to downplay Alexandrian inhibition – it is a critical piece, and fundamental to any enduring change process, no question. It’s also counter intuitive to many people, so fascinating.

Yes to all THAT.

Except there’s nothing particularly “Alexanderian” about inhibition.

However, to hear Alexander Technique teachers talk, you’d think inhibition was FM's big discovery. As Joe Biden likes to say:

“That’s a bunch of malarkey.”

Breakthrough maybe, but discovery? NO.

Buddha managed that one twenty-five hundred years ago. And so have countless others, in ways that defy documentation by their sheer volume alone.

Shakyamuni called it “attachment”, FM called it “endgaining”.
Shakyamuni called it “renunciation”, FM called it “inhibition”.

Because our Profession carries on about “inhibition” so sacredly and so often, we end up convincing ourselves that this is the BIG NEWS we need to convey to the world. Except the world already knows.

Duh.

It usually goes down like this:

Teachers explain Alexander's discovery by talking about habits, inhibition, non-doing blah, blah, blah. And the person listening nods appreciatively, then utters…

“Yeah, I know. That’s just like… [ latest, faddy/new-age, thingamabob ]"

And inside you want to scream:

“But it’s not like frigging Yoga you moron!!!”
[while you politely smile and change the subject.]

Well, it’s your own fault. If you tell it like that, you tell the wrong story.

Your listener is right. It is like Yoga. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a great story and I am sure I will tell it again. But I’m the moron if I think that will impress and attract people.

Inhibition is not what makes us different. It’s not what FM discovered.

It’s what he used to implement what he discovered. But when you think inhibition is the key insight FM had to offer, you simply don’t see the trees for all the wood. And you have no way of standing out. Because a lot of people – and I mean, A LOT OF PEOPLE – already know this.

There. Is. Nothing. Unique. About. Inhibition.

Except!

When used to implement Alexander's discovery.

But Inhibition by itself?

Much Ado About Nothing.