Students of the Alexander Technique find that their lessons lead them to a relaxed and mindful state. This mindfulness begins with a gentle focus and attention to the present moment.  Within this attention to the present moment, students explore how they think, sense, move and respond to stressors.  Students quickly learn how to identify sources of stress and how they habitually react.  Once conscious of their habits, students learn to pause and choose a constructive response.  By learning how to quickly identify and release excess physical tension, students can keep stress from escalating.  Excess reactivity and self-criticism are replaced with gentle good humor and compassion.