Years ago, I became convinced that I was really good at paying attention to my own physicality, all day every day. After all, living a physically conscious life is one of my ultimate goals. It’s something I’ve pursued with purpose throughout my life and my entire career, Imagine my surprise when I found out that something I invented came along to remind me that no, I actually wasn’t as good as I thought. Even Alexander Technique teachers need reminders to pay attention! For a long time I’ve been working on an app called Allez Up!® . Part of the program is text reminders that help us to wake up and deepen our awareness.

I find it very funny that I am so pleased to get each Allez Up!® message. I invented them after all. My intention in creating them was to help other people experience their everyday life, performance and recreation in a fully conscious body –“just the way I do every day”. But the Allez Up!® reminders made me think maybe I was a little over-confident or impressed with my ability to be physically conscious. I spend lots of time throughout the day reminding myself to notice my physical experience and to think in ways that make it easier and more fun. That’s normal for those of us who study things like mindfulness, Alexander Technique, yoga (etc,etc.). When I am teaching, I enjoy watching students grow their awareness from simple awareness of pain or discomfort to eventually stopping to “smell the roses” – to feel the pleasure of moving and being present. So, we assume that we are aware a lot of the time.

But the surprising thing that made me smile every time would be what came after I received the Allez Up!® reminders. I would see a notification on my phone from Allez Up!® . I would read the message –messages like “Feel your feet on the floor”, “Let you neck be free”, “Notice the room” – and then I would realize that I had been completely focused on my computer or on organizing papers or talking on the phone, and I had forgotten completely about me, my body and where I was. Then the delightful thing: the reminder let me return to experiencing myself fully, enjoying the moment and feeling a little bit more ease. It’s like someone is following me around and encouraging me, every once in a while, to enjoy life and work with a little less effort.

I started to wonder what the difference could be between reminding myself from time to time and being reminded by a random text message on my phone. I think there is a greater element of discovery, like when you have a good Alexander Technique class or lesson. You bring your curiosity to the class, and your teacher guides you into discoveries you have no idea are coming. Even though it’s satisfying to practice awareness and presence – you have to be vigilant or you will forget. With the teacher there observing and supporting you, it is much more effortless – and delightfully surprising. It has the spark of getting a gift you weren’t expecting.

Of course, you might have to learn to see each new reminder as an opportunity to wake up a little more rather than as an indication that you have failed to stay present and aware. That is another aspect of learning the Alexander Technique – letting go of right and wrong and shifting to exploration rather than getting it right . That mindset has helped me in my creative life for decades.

Another surprising thing was that I very quickly got addicted to the reminders. I started checking my phone more often to see what the next message was. I was reminded of all the things I’ve read cautioning us not to become addicted to the phone and miss out on life in the meantime. But here is the great thing – you are getting a reminder to look around you, to let go of tension, and to be present and aware of yourself and your surroundings. Maybe this is the best addiction I could have?! What do you think? You can preview Allez Up!® in a free version. If you think you’d like more and are interested in using the reminders click “Unlock more” and get the subscription for a year for $9.99. I hope you try it out and let me know how they work for you.