Category Archives: Cartoons

Chicken or Egg?

With lockdown I chose to allow myself to embrace the opportunity to switch off rather than zoom in. A conscious decision to see if allowing space and stopping really does allow balance and something extraordinary to happen, as we teach … Continue reading

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Conscious Slobbing

I love a good turn of phrase and a friend came out with this one last week, slightly regretfully, in that he felt he hadn’t done enough during lockdown. ‘Thats brilliant! Conscious slobbing, I love it! That is enough. Thats … Continue reading

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On Taking Space – Creativity and the Alexander Technique

Nineteen Corvids by Kirsten Harris Continue reading

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Anatomy of a Dandelion Seed

Seeds of Love by Kirsten Harris
Available as a print Continue reading

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Art, Heart, Earth – Horizontal and Vertical Directions

I dreamt about Don Burton last night. Walter Carrington and some other teachers were there too.  Don gave me an AT turn. It started seated, my head dropped forward onto a table in front. I was full of grief. He gently … Continue reading

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Procrastination

I have been procrastinating! I know this because my beat-myself-up-with-a-great-big-mental-stick-you-lazy-useless-so-and-so ego was telling me so. Bad habit that particular form of self torture! The more the days of procrastination rolled by the more I started to notice that I was … Continue reading

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6 Words that Changed my Life

I was standing at the sink this morning thinking that a happy life is found by converting perceived negatives into positives. Simple as that sounds it can sometimes be a big challenge to change one’s mind. It then struck me … Continue reading

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The Power of No!

I teach my students a class which I call ‘The Power of No!’ I have taught it to children and riders to date. This blog is not a demo of the class which is a live class, but more an … Continue reading

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Don’t Throw the Baby Out With the Bath Water!

Don’t Throw the Baby Out With the Bath Water!  It’s a strange expression, but one I usually say to my students during their first lesson.  The baby is The Alexander Technique. The bath water is the teacher!  Teaching the Alexander … Continue reading

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The Encyclopaedia of Ease T-V

T Trees, Trees Trees Trees Trees – Tree planting is a no brainer way to ease ourselves out of the mess we have got the planet into. We need to plant millions of them! They are the guardians. I am … Continue reading

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The Encyclopaedia of Ease – R

The Encyclopaedia of Ease – finding ease in everyday words. Ease that you probably didn’t know was there. And now r… Roll your Rrrrrr’s in speech and movement. R R – or ah, or argh! Variations of Alexander Technique ‘whispered … Continue reading

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The Encyclopaedia of Ease – N-O

The Encyclopaedia of Ease – finding ease in existing words ‘psoas’ not to get bored! So now these two letters – N and O, very useful when used together for creating claritiease and boundarease. No is a small word, easy … Continue reading

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The Encylopaedia of Ease I – K

I Idiocease – ‘Aha’ moments, when you realise you’ve been making things hard for yourself. Often accompanied by insights which cause the hand to be held to the forehead and the making of strange noises such as ‘Doh!’ Ignoramusease – … Continue reading

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The Encyclopaedia of Ease E – H

Part 2 of the Encyclopaedia of Ease. My easy peasy lemon squeasy encyclopaedia for an easier life! Written for anyone who likes messing about with words, Alexander Technique, meditation, law of attraction, mindfulness, the power of the mind and all … Continue reading

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The Encyclopaedia of Ease A – E

Do you know your a, b, c’ease? Welcome to the Encyclopaedia of Ease… A Anatomease – An easier way to live in your body by knowing the bones and joints and having a clear understanding of how you co-ordinate and … Continue reading

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I Like Myself!

I taught Alexander Technique to university students on a drama degree course for about ten years. One day I was teaching how our thinking affects the way we feel and therefore move and act and how this happens instantly. I … Continue reading

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The Magic is Now!

Every moment in every place in every country, every being has access to a portal to the magic kingdom (or magic queendom, if you prefer!) There is no other place in which to find magic apart from right here, or there, … Continue reading

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Prayer to my Horse

PRAYER TO MY HORSE by Kirsten Harris  My horse, I am honoured by your presence and stand in awe before your divine beauty  May I be worthy of your trust May I have sensitive wisdom to understand your language, so … Continue reading

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To Earth We Return

To Earth We Return by Kirsten Harris   It takes a long time for a tree to grow, but only a short time to chop one down! A friend from India told me that in her culture when a tree … Continue reading

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Messages from Trees

In Nature We find Ourselves, drawing by Kirsten Harris   Messages from Trees Breathe deeply of me I am the lungs of the world, my health and yours are one Let your spine flow upwards and your limbs flow freely … Continue reading

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Is Your Head Screwed On Right?

Anatomy and Art, Cartoon by Kirsten Harris    Is your head screwed on right?   I love the way our language and the phases we use reveal so much on closer inspection! We might say ‘so and so hasn’t got their … Continue reading

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Once Upon a Time …

The Old Horse Chestnut Tree by Kirsten Harris, Pen on paper   Once upon a time, a long time ago, in the frozen lands of Scotland, a young woman found herself trapped in a dark and terrifyingly lonely forest. Sharp, … Continue reading

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You’ve Got It Already!

‘Unhelpful Thinking Habits!’ Cartoon by Kirsten Harris   Whatever this ‘thing’ is that Alexander Technique teachers get so passionate about and want to teach you – you’ve got it already!  You know IT! This is the premise that I work … Continue reading

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How to Be a Flop!

How To Be A Flop, Cartoon by Kirsten Harris   Instead of a ‘how to be a success’ blog I thought I would write one about how to be a flop! Let’s take some pressure off and hopefully make life … Continue reading

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Where’s Your Birdie?

Where’s your Birdie?   This is the question I am going into the New Year with!   No, I haven’t suddenly landed in an episode of Wacky Races with Dastardly and Muttley trying to ‘catch the pigeon’ nor have I … Continue reading

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The Daily Ease

I gave my blog the title The Daily Ease as a reminder to make time for a daily ease.   What does a daily ease mean to you?   lying down in consecutive rest aka semi supine going for a … Continue reading

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Rampage of Appreciation – Training to be an Alexander Technique Teacher

RAMPAGE OF APPRECIATION – TRAINING TO BE AN ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE TEACHER   At the age of 24 the Alexander Technique changed my life! That first hands-on lesson with it’s gently encouraging profound words from my first teacher, Astrid Cox, are … Continue reading

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On Being Wiggly

On Being Wiggly (Notes from teaching 12 – 14 year olds)   ‘Is anything in you body straight?’ ‘Er … No!?’ ‘That’s right your body wiggles and spirals, curves and flows, it is living and isn’t straight. Is anything in … Continue reading

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How do you make decisions?

How do you make decisions?   Ever since I started working with the Alexander Technique as a stressed out ex art student, I realised that this technique is an amazing tool for decision making. It is a tool that I … Continue reading

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The Unbearable Lightness of Being a Horse

Horses are light on their feet … light beings  … graceful creatures. Here are two beautiful anonymous quotes about horses –   ‘To Ride a Horse is to Ride the Sky’   and an American Indian Proverb   ‘The horses are … Continue reading

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‘Planet Long Neck’ – A Visual Blog

‘Planet Long Neck’ Pen and Coloured Pencil by Kirsten Harris   Hopefully the drawing says it all!   For further details kirstenfharris@btopenworld.com Or check out my Alexander Technique inspired colouring book by clicking here       Cover       … Continue reading

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Why the Alexander Technique can be Likened to Farting!

OMG!’ Oil on Canvas, by Kirsten Harris   Apologies to the easily offended, but I am likening the Alexander Technique to farting in this blog. Call it British humour or bad humour, but a girls gotta amuse herself somehow! Anyway, I … Continue reading

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Alexander’s Story (a truly terrible verse)

ALEXANDER’S STORY (via a truly terrible verse)   This is the story of The Alexander Technique Named after the founder. It’s fabulous! Unique! Its extraordinary brilliance is worldwide recognised Even applauded in the Nobel Prize   Alexander discovered a useful … Continue reading

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Alexander Technique Drawings

Page from The Daily Ease – A Walk in the Wood Colouring Book   I have been slowly working away creating images that hopefully express Alexander Technique in a fun way. A task that I find exceedingly challenging, but very … Continue reading

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Hard Cheese!

Hard Cheese! by Kirsten Harris   Thirty three vertebrae Support the body through the day They’re your inner building bricks Stack them well, let’s not be thick!   Disease, perhaps a lack of ease? A painful back and hips and … Continue reading

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The Giraffe

The Giraffe by Kirsten Harris   ‘You’re having a laugh’ said the baby giraffe ‘If you think I’m going up there! I’ve no head for heights, they give me a fright I don’t want to be tall, it’s not fair!’ … Continue reading

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The Daily Ease – A Walk in the Woods

It’s finally here –  The Daily Ease colouring book. Inspired by walking in the woods with my dog Maisie – this is Alexander Technique passionista meets nature lover meets eco warrior meets tree hugger meets creativity encourager   For children … Continue reading

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Tongues!

Tongue Tied by Kirsten Harris   Here’s a funny little question That left unchecked will cause congestion Let me ask you, ‘Where’s your tongue?’ Clamped to mouth’s roof you’ll be high strung!   It’s best to let your tongue go … Continue reading

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Alexander Technique Is Like Harry Potter World!

‘Forward and Up Witch’   Today at school one of the children announced –   ‘Alexander Technique is fun! You’re like a teacher from Harry Potter world Miss! Alexander Technique is Magic.’   (Funny how an image of the fuzzy … Continue reading

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‘Doing Alexander Technique at School is Legendary!’

‘Doing Alexander Technique at school is legendary and you’re a legend Miss!’ Or so I was informed by a seventeen year old at the high school where I teach Alexander Technique yesterday! ‘Oh, that sounds good! Is it? No-one has … Continue reading

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101 Life Lessons from my Dog

101 Life Lessons from my Dog by Kirsten Harris   1. Have a good stretch and yawn first thing in the morning. It feels great.   2. If there is a human being about lie on your back and get … Continue reading

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101 Life Lessons from My Dog – Part 2 (66 – 101)

66. Dogs are keenly aware if something different is going to happen … Putting shoes on to go out is a very exciting life event!   67. Watching the behaviours of others is interesting and gives insight! Your dog is … Continue reading

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‘It’s the Jeremy Kyle Show Miss!’

‘This class of Alexander Technique is like being on the Jeremy Kyle Show Miss!’   Two separate groups of children spontaneously likened Alexander Technique to being on the Jeremy Kyle show at school this week. A hilarious observation with a … Continue reading

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The Naughty Step!

  I had to share this insight from a teenager …..   Yesterday, during a constructive rest session requested by one of the teenage boys at the high school where I teach Alexander Technique, 17 year old Harry quipped-   … Continue reading

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The Daily Ease 2017 Alexander Technique Calendar

  The Daily Ease 2017 Calendar   A fun romp though the Alexander Technique –   It is all there in the cartoons and verses, so will make a terrific teaching aid for anyone who would like a few visual … Continue reading

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Friesans to be Cheerful!

‘I want to be a lovely cow Chewing on the cud Ruminating all that’s wow Even mucky mud!’   ‘The Alexander Technique is a way of transforming stress to joy!’ Juliet Binoche   ‘Moo, moo, moo’ moo the cows.. Freeing … Continue reading

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A Walk in the Woods

A walk in the woods Awakening the senses Stirring the imagination….   Carved onto a branch where wise owl patiently sits, are the words –   ‘Thinking up is a cosmic skill, up up direct your mind Your light body … Continue reading

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Bone Up!

  Bone Up! by Kirsten Harris   ‘Bare bones of matter, skeleton insight – Spaced joints, mobile, long, supporting, freely upright! Strong ‘Architect’ designed skeleton, not a bony wrecked fright Haunted by creaking by day and by night!   One … Continue reading

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The Giraffe

The Giraffe by Kirsten Harris   Like us, giraffe have seven vertebrae in the neck. I find this fact fascinating. Graceful, long necked, elegant, beautiful, crazy giraffe – your design is much like mine.     ‘You’re having a laugh,’ … Continue reading

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Forward and Up – Of mice and men…

    When you speak of love or something’s to be said Brainbox, don’t pull back your wonderful but mighty heavy head Balance your skull lightly, it’s a Universal Law Listen well! Do less, using only lips and tongue and … Continue reading

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Mystical Creatures

  The Unicorn by Kirsten Harris   In Ancient Myth lived a beautiful Unicorn A fabulous horse with a pointing uni-horn What is the symbol of this mysterious feature? Forward and Up points the mystical creature!   ************   My … Continue reading

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65 Life Lessons from My Dog

65 Life Lessons from My Dog by Kirsten Harris   1. Have a good stretch and yawn first thing in the morning. It feels great.   2. If there is a human being about lie on your back and get your … Continue reading

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What dogs teach us about back care!

   

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Try Mooing

Try Mooing I just did!.. Went for a walk with the dog, mooing! A really good grounding sound Made me smile Moo to anchor the voice into the body Moo to let go Moo to make yourself happy Moo to … Continue reading

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Dancing Spine

  Let your spine dance today Get some loud music on, something that really makes you want to wiggle and wriggle and let you spine have some freedom   It’s so good for all the multi faceted joints of your … Continue reading

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The Zone

The Zone   I know when I am in The Zone Letting go bone by bone Happy to be on my own Exploring realms of the great unknown Easing open muscle tone Unearthing my own safety zone Lengthening snake like … Continue reading

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Sometimes Life’s a Bit Complicated

Take it easy… Sometimes life is just a bit complicated… No need to get yourself in a tangle, in a pickle, worried… You can figure it out… Breathe….. Moo if necessary!!!    

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Great diagrams of the skeleton and skull

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3 Easy Tips for Sitting at Your Computer

‘ 1. Are you off your rockers?! Like the skeleton in my sketch In other words are you sitting on your sitting bones? Sit on your hands for a moment and feel your sitting bones. These are bony rockers at … Continue reading

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Kids Body Mapping the Skeleton

  These fantastic drawings by my first and second year students at the Edinburgh School of Music at Broughton High School are not copied from any picture of the skeleton. They are done from talking through the anatomy of the skeleton with … Continue reading

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Human Being – Stop and Smell the Roses

Human Being or Human Doing? Have you spent any time today just being. Being present, being aware, being comfortable, being here? Have you stopped to smell the roses? To be or not to be?   Human being or human doing?

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Falling asleep

Easing out of the day into sleep Falling symmetrically into the mattress Bone by bone Brain scanning the body Breathing out through each limb Falling with symmetry into the mystery.

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Space

Space around me Space within me Living in space Living with space Thinking about space Spaced Out Day!

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