Sailing your own ship

This article explores the rich and varied connections between sailing and the Alexander Technique. Sailing metaphors and references to sailing appear in F. M. Alexander’s writings and Walter Carrington’s talks. Many Alexander Technique principles apply on board a boat, and the applications of the Technique to a variety of typical sailing activities are discussed. These include boarding and disembarking, moving around and maintaining balance on board, steering and manoeuvring efficiently. On a general level, the concepts of direction, inhibition, habitual patterns and reaction find parallels in sailing. The Technique informs sailing and sailing encourages the use of the Technique. This article won the third prize in the 2007 Mouritz Award.