Why Chicken Sexing And The Alexander Technique Are More Similar Than You Might Think

Recently I learned a fascinating story about something called "chicken sexing." Apparently, chicken farmers are eager to know the gender of their chicks as soon as possible after hatching from the egg because, for various reasons, they can make a lot more money if they know sooner, rather than later.

The very best chicken sexers in the world are the Japanese, and they have a method which allows them to determine the gender of their chicks weeks sooner than any other chicken farmers.

Unexpectedly, the Japanese chicken sexers didn't use any special machinery or digital imaging devices to make their breakthrough in chicken sexing. Rather, they used this simple method:

The novice chicken sexer and the the master chicken sexer would stand side-by-side at the conveyer belt of little chicks passing by. Then, the novice would pick one up, take a look at it, and make a guess: male or female? The master chicken sexer would then either agree or disagree and send the chick on its way.

Amazingly, after about 1000 guesses, the novice becomes a master without ever knowing any specific details about what determines the gender of a chick!

Rather, it's all learned at the subconscious level.

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This is very similar to how the Alexander Technique is learned. Since the Alexander Technique is primarily a non-verbal kinesthetic experience, nobody can tell you the specific details of what the "technique" is and how to do it.

Rather, you go see a master (an Alexander Technique teacher) and you will make 1000 guesses about what is freedom in your body and what isn't. The teacher also gives you 1000 hands-on experiences to show you kinesthetically what can't be put into words.

After these thousands of little experiences a clearer and clearer experience emerges inside you: You can recognize in yourself a new capacity for freedom, ease, and poise that nobody told you how to do.

It's learned at the subconscious level, not by direct instruction.

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How does the expert learn in the first place? Well, that's a story for another day. :)

Cheers,

Joseph Arnold

For more information on the Alexander Technique and Pain-Free Music, visit www.painfreemusic.com