Constructive rest, sometimes known as “active rest”, “semi-supine” or the “Alexander lying-down position” is an extremely effective self-help tool for Alexander Technique students, and for anyone else who wants a simple, practical way of releasing excess tension from their body.The purpose of this page is to pull together in one place all the available information about constructive rest – articles, blogs, videos and audio resources. You’ll find a variety of approaches to constructive rest here but there are three aspects that are pretty universal: 1. Lie on a firm surface; 2. Your knees should be elevated relative to your hips; and 3. There should (usually) be some support under your head. Most of the differences relate to what is most useful for you to think about (or not think about) while doing constructive rest. If you’re new to the process, you might want to experiment with different suggestions.
If you know of any additional material, please send it to me, Robert Rickover, creator of this site using this Email contact page.
Find a variety of resources on Constructive Rest in the following:
Constructive Rest Videos
- Demonstration of Constructive Rest by Nikki Brin:
- Posture awareness with the Alexander Technique provides a nice video description of the process.
- Alexander Technique teacher Sharon Jakubecy provides a good video description of the process
- Repos Activ – Constructive rest video narrated in French.
Constructive Rest Audio Resources
- Listen to conversations about the usefulness of constructive rest, as well as constructive rest talk-throughs, by Alexander Technique teachers from the Alexander Technique Podcast
- Imogen Ragone’s Constructive Rest Audio Download (MP3) & Companion Guide (PDF)
- Constructive Rest by Imogen Ragone provides information and audio instructions.
- Constructive Rest – Audio Guide Series provides downloadable audio resources and CD’s.
- Guided Mindfulness Practice for Constructive Rest during Pregnancy
- A Useful Constructive Rest Ad On to help coordinate your legs
- Alexander Technique teacher Lilly Sutton has created a guide to Constructive Rest, including a CD, which is available on her website.
- Alexander Technique teachers Eileen Troberman and Robert Rickover have recorded two audio conversations about constructive rest.
Constructive Rest Articles and Blogs
- Constructive Rest blogs by Alexander Technique teacher Imogen Ragone
- 30 Days of Constructive Rest Challenge by Alexander Technique teacher Imogen Ragone
- Can You Nap Constructively? by Alexander Technique teacher Imogen Ragone
- The Value of Doing Nothing by Alexander Technique teacher Ruth Rootberg
- Alexander Technique teacher Laurel Podulke provides a description of constructive rest
- Alexander Technique teacher Jim Crosthwaite provides a description of constructive rest
- Alexander Technique teacher Hilary King provides extensive information about constructive rest
- Alexander Technique teacher Elyse Shafarman provides a description of constructive rest
- Alexander Technique teacher Leland Vall provides a description of constructive rest
- Alexander Technique teacher Andrea Matthews has produced a short guide to constructive rest (PDF)
Constructive Rest on Facebook
I like lying down is a Facebook group dedicated to Constructive Rest. It has a great many photos – some very funny – of Alexander Technique teachers and students doing their constructive rest as well as lots of useful information.
