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Introduction to Lao Cuisine

Although not as well known as Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, Lao food is a delicious mix of fresh flavors such as galangal, lime, lemongrass, basil, coriander, and mint. Meals are generally shared communally with a soup, grilled or steamed meat, a variety of green leafy vegetables, dipping sauces, and sticky rice. Rarely do the Lao eat with utensils, instead they form small balls of sticky rice in their fingers and used as an aid to pick up the food. Chopsticks are only used in the case of noodle soups, but fear not! Utensils are commonly available for foreign tourists.

The national dish of Laos is laap, a delicious dish made of finely minced meat, lemongrass, and herbs. Spicy salads such as tam mak houng are also popular. This particular dish is made from green (unripened) papaya, tomatoes, lime juice, peanuts, chilies, and fish sauce. Grilled meats, especially chicken and fish, are extremely popular and walking down the street the smell is mouth watering! Mok pa fork is a steamed fish in banana leaf dish, accompanied by a mild coconut sauce. A similar version of this is found in neighboring Cambodia and Thailand.

Most locals enjoy jaews with their meal. These are salsa-like dipping sauces, made from tomatoes, eggplant, or other vegetables. Traditionally jaews have accompanied meals in poor villages to break the monotony of eating endless amounts of plain sticky rice, but nowadays are being enjoyed by more and more tourists.

For celebrations, a pun pa is a festive meal meant to be shared. A whole steam fish, marinated in local herbs and stuffed with lemongrass, is served with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and sauces. Diners create their own individual parcels of lettuce wraps seasoned to taste!

If laap is the national dish of Laos, then Beer Lao is certainly the national drink of Laos! This delicious beer was, up until recently, the only type of beer available in the country and regardless of how remote in the jungle you were, the villagers always seem to have a bottle ready to share. For something a bit stronger, lao lao is the traditional rice wine. Made in the villages, this strong alcohol is made by fermenting rice and is often consumed at weddings and other celebrations.

In the southern Boloven Plateau, Laos grows fantastic tea and coffee. The locals drink their coffee strong, often with a hefty dollop of sweetened condensed milk. Green, loose-leaf tea is served as an accompaniment although higher-end teas are beginning to appear.

Best tables in Vientiane, the capital of Laos

Dinner at Phatoke Laoderm is a unique evening. Housed in an old cinema, the restaurant serves delicious food on traditional circular trays while being entertained by a traditional Laos dance performance. Another unique, but typically Lao, dining experience is Poysian. Here guests barbeque their own array of meats in an al fresco setting, accompanied by soupy broth and cold Beer Lao. This style of dining is locally called sin dat and it is a truly local (and delicious!) experience.

For a special experience, check out Le Nadao which serves up fine French and Laos fare or our favorite, New Amphone. This hidden gem is tucked down a small laneway and features subtle lighting, jazzy music, and luscious wooden d?cor. The food is to die for (as are the cocktails!) including traditional Lao dishes such as barbequed Mekong fish, beef laap, and the ubiquitous sticky rice.

Dine for a cause at Makphet Restaurant, a vocational training restaurant which trains homeless youth to cook and wait tables. The restaurant upholds the highest standards of hygiene and serves modern Lao cuisine prepared with only naturally-grown ingredients and no MSG. The food is fabulous and the smiles of the friendly staff warm your heart!

Incorporating the French influence on Lao cuisine, Le Central is renowned for its gourmet Asian fusion dishes and fine French menu. With a broad selection of wines and delectable deserts, dining at Le Central is an indulgent treat.

Exotissimo Traveler is the persona we use at http://www.exotissimo.com to publish our travel reviews and suggestions, and to share with you our favorite places, hotels, restaurants and activities in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

The backbone of your fishing rod is going to be the rod blank. Way back in Grandpa’s day that would have been anything lying around that he could make a pole from. Most often, a good sturdy tree branch would suit the purpose quite nicely. Now it’s unlikely that type of material would have been of any value when it comes to saltwater fishing. There are a variety of mediums used today to build rods that are dependable and durable and be able to withstand the weight and size of the fish that are out there waiting to be caught. You have to decide on what your purpose is and which rod material will work best for you. Is it fiberglass or perhaps you prefer graphite.

For some excellent choices, particularly the saltwater anglers Calstar fishing rod blanks have a good name for themselves. If you want, the fiberglass then be aware that theirs is built with the highest quality of “E”glass needed for durability and yet being able to feel the rod as well. Then if you are pro graphite consider the Calstar Fibreglass blanks. One thing for certain is though if you are planning on doing some regular big game fishing and you are building your fishing rod for that purpose then you are going to want the Calstar IGFA Fiberglass blanks.

When deciding on your rod blank the most important thing to keep in mind what weight do you want to bring in with it. If you know that you are going to be fishing an average weight of say 12 to 25 pounds then you may want to just go with a rod blank that will accommodate just that weight. Why add extra weight that you have to hold if you don’t require it. On the other hand, if you think that on occasion you may go up to a 50 pound catch then no point in building your rod inferior to that weight. You may want to consider the Gator Glass Rod Building Blanks. They are made in the USA and are well known for the durability of their fiberglass blanks. Their reasonable pricing in comparison to the quality makes them a favorite choice of many fishing rod builders.

Lamiglas rod blank manufacturer has paid particular attention to the sensitivity of the blank. They realize how important it is for you to be able to detect what is going on at the end of your line to give you a better opportunity to sink that hook. They have managed to combine the three key components of an excellent blank being its sensitivity along with being durable with great quality. You can choose from fiberglass, composite or graphite. No shortage of choice here.

Pacific Bay is not going to take any backseat when it comes to offering high quality rod blanks either. They have put a lot of time and research into their business. They have designed some of the finest rod blanks on the market to the point where they will back their blanks with a lifetime guarantee. There are no risks when buying a rod blank with these sureties.

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Don’t you find it wonderful to listen to beautiful music? Don’t you envy the feelings experienced by those musicians as they play their music? Don’t you want to experience those same feelings? Now, with modern educational techniques and the latest computer, multimedia and internet technologies, this has become possible. The best online piano courses can quickly and easily teach anyone to play the piano.

To find the best online piano course for your needs is not difficult. A quick search using Google, Yahoo, MSN or Live will give you many pages of information. You can even find free samples of their lessons. The core of most online piano courses is similar, but each of them has a unique selling point. For example, one might be good for the whole family, another might specialize in teaching young children, yet another might teach people who already know how to play a musical instrument. Some courses may not teach you how to read music scores, while others emphasize playing from music scores. There’ll be courses which teach improv, courses which only teach the classics, etc. You’ll want to take plenty of notes as you examine the different courses to find out which is best for you.

One important question you’ll want to ask yourself is why you want to play the piano. Everyone has their own reason for wanting to play the piano. Some people want to play piano as a hobby, others do it because they want a way to express their passions. Then there are those people who want to learn because it is something they liked but failed to do as children. Parents may want their children to learn the piano. What is your own reason? No matter what, you will find a piano course which is best for your purpose.

How do these top internet-based piano courses work? In general, they use super-learning technologies and discoveries from modern educational psychology to develop their lessons. For example, there will be lessons set to special music to help students remember better. Then there are multimedia lessons using video, audio and practicals to make learning more effective. Lessons are short and fast-paced. Interactive quizzes and games are also used to make the learning process more fun. All these lessons are delivered over the internet from very fast distributed blade server farms using broadband.

The best of these online piano courses use a lot of short lessons, anywhere from 15 minutes to half-an-hour long. This makes them suitable even for busy adults. Its easy to find such small blocks of time no matter how busy you may be. Unlike a piano school, you can also repeat lessons as many times as you need to, until you successfully master them. You can go as slowly as you like, or as quickly as you are able to. You never have to drop out because you can’t catch up. You will never be held back by slower classmates. All these points are true whether the student is a busy working adult or a child with many school activities.

Despite all their advantages, these courses are quite affordable. There are many reasons. One of them is due to the cheap availability of modern computer and internet technology. Another major reason is that they use a different business model from traditional piano instruction.

The best online piano course for your needs (or your child’s needs) will help teach you how to play the piano quickly and easily. Unless you have a lot of natural talent, you won’t be playing a complex piece like Elvira Madigan anytime soon. However, simple pieces should be possible within weeks if you apply the required effort.

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The saxophone is a wonderful instrument that adds depth and variety to many pieces of music. It is a woodwind instrument and it uses a single reed attached to its mouthpiece. The reed vibrates as the air passes through it to allowing the saxophone to produce its great sound.

In the early 1800’s, Adolphe Sax noticed that there was a bit of a gap between the brass and woodwind sections of the orchestra. The gap was produced because of the relatively quiet sounds produced by the woodwinds and the lack of versatility of pitch range among the brass instruments. Therefore, he developed the saxophone which gave strength of voice to the woodwinds and flexibility to the brass. He developed the instrument in 1841 and actually developed two different groups of the instruments. Between the sopranino saxophone and the contrabass saxophone, the one group of these instruments could span the entire range offered by a piano. Many of these are transposing instruments which lend a whole different set of abilities to the saxophones.

The patent that was given to Mr. Sax in 1846 expired in 1866. After the patent expired, numerous other musicians and instrument makers adjusted and added to Mr. Sax’s original invention until it has evolved into the smooth handling instrument we have today. The original saxophone keys were very basic and simple but that made some of the passages difficult to play because of the way the fingering worked on the keys of the saxophone. Therefore, those improvements have added quality and simplicity to the instrument allowing saxophonists to be able to play difficult passages of music with relative ease.

The timbre of the saxophone, while originally intended as an orchestral instrument, lends itself, however, to many different types of music. Because of its intended and achieved musical versatility, the sax is a great instrument for jazz and blues music as well as rock and roll and big band music. Its size also makes it very easy for instrumentalists in marching bands to handle. The military band personnel play for many different functions and ceremonies including military funerals, welcoming dignitaries, swearing in of various political leaders, etc. This requires the versatility to be able to play those different types of music. The saxophone family of instruments actually has a “military band family” of saxophones such as the Subcontrabass saxophone, the baritone saxophone all the way to the sopranino saxophone. Many of these are used in orchestral pieces and particularly jazz pieces. Famous instrumentalists such as Kenny G have albums that feature his ability to play several different instruments in the saxophone family including the soprano sax primarily but also the alto and tenor sax, as well.

Students in grade school begin to learn to play the saxophone in about the fourth or fifth grades when they join the band at school. Because of size issues, most learn to play the alto sax because it is the right size for their fingers and their stature. The soprano saxophone, though much lighter, is considered a solo instrument and is more expensive that either the also or tenor sax. It is therefore not offered by most schools. However, alto saxophones and some tenor saxophones are can be purchased relatively inexpensively so many schools have both available. Once a student has learned to play the alto or tenor saxophone, it is usually fairly simple to move between the instruments in the saxophone family provided you understand the theory of transposition instruments and how that functions between the kinds of saxophones available.

If you want a smooth sounding instrument that lends itself to many different musical styles, you will not go wrong in learning to play the saxophone. Start with the alto or tenor sax, learn the notes and the way to hold and play the instrument. From there, you will be able to move to other types of saxophones, should you desire to do so. As it is, when you learn to play the sax, you will have an ability that will wow your friends and give you great pleasure at being able to pick up and play some of your favorite orchestral, jazz, or blues tunes anytime you wish.

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Introduction

Garlic is a versatile ingredient in authentic Italian cooking which is found as an underground bulb. Each bulb will consist of up to 20 individual cloves. When the bulb is split open the individual cloves often have a reddish hue but the cloves inside are smooth and pearly-white in colour. Using your fingers, divide the whole bulb into individual cloves (if you don’t want to use the whole bulb, just pull away the number of cloves you need and leave the rest of the bulb intact, as it will last longer that way). Once separated, peel and then used whole, chopped or crushed. Roast whole bulbs (25 minutes) or individual cloves (20 minutes) to serve with roast meat; fry (slowly, for just a couple of minutes) to use as the base for sauces, casseroles, soups. Western recipes that I have seen only use garlic bulbs but Eastern cuisine uses garlic leaves too.

Slivers of garlic can be inserted into lamb before roasting or the puree from roasted garlic can be squeezed from the cloves and stirred into mashed potato with some olive oil. For just a hint of garlic, rub the salad bowl or cooking pot with a cut clove.

Smoked garlic is dried garlic that has been smoked to give it a golden colour and mellow smoky flavour.

Garlic is essential in the robust cookery of the Mediterranean region but it is also indispensable to Indian cookery and is widely used in China and South East Asia. Many Mediterranean recipes seem to take the presence of garlic as a given, but this is not always the case in Authentic Italian cooking for the simple reason that its distinctive taste can sometimes detract from more delicate ingredients.

At all costs, avoid overcooking because as the garlic browns it begins to exude a bitter aroma that makes its contribution to the final flavour of the dish.

Health Benefits

Garlic is not only an essential kitchen ingredient in authentic Italian cooking; it also has significant health benefits.

Garlic is a source of characteristic sulphur containing substances (e.g.allicin, which is responsible for the odour of garlic) that have potentially beneficial effects within the body. Some of these compounds are present in garlic in a latent form, which are activated when garlic cloves are crushed or digested.

What does Garlic do?

Garlic is is one of nature’s greatest antivirals and an antibiotic.

When garlic is crushed, or digested in the gut, the alliin is converted by the enzyme allinase (also present in garlic) into allicin, which is the most important of the active substances present in garlic. Sadly, the activity of the enzyme allinase is destroyed by heat, so the potential benefits of garlic are reduced by cooking.

It is worth noting that garlic is therefore best added right at the end of cooking so that you can get the benefit. Or even added after cooking if you can tolerate its strength.

Garlic is the only antibiotic that can actually kill infecting bacteria and at the same time protect the body from the poisons that are causing the infection. It also has the following effects -

• It dilates blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure,

• The active compounds in garlic reduce the stickiness of blood platelets and so reduce the tendency of blood to clot.

• It has immune system enhancing effects,

• It can help regulate blood sugar levels and is thus helpful for diabetics

• It has anti-microbial action against certain types of pathogenic bacteria.

Clinical studies have shown supplementation with garlic to have the following benefits:

• It inhibits the development of atherosclerosis (thickening of the blood vessels)

• It reduces blood cholesterol levels

• It reduces high blood pressure

• It inhibits the development of certain types of cancers

So it is that we see that there is more than the flavour that should encourage us to eat garlic

Kath Ibbetson has a BSc, a diploma in aromatherapy and a certificate in counselling. But most of all she is a mother and an enthusiastic Italian cook. Italian food is her passion and she has been cooking it for 30 years. Visit her site FoodTheItalianWay.com

You have probably spent thousands of dollars making random bets on Texas Lotto. You have done this without knowing that there is actually a way to predict which numbers are most likely to appear in the next lottery draws. Since the numbers in the lottery are always randomly drawn, you have convinced yourself that there is no way the results could be predicted. However, by carefully analyzing the past results, you would be able to see that through the randomness of the draws, there are actually patterns formed. You could use these patterns to figure out which number combinations work most often and which do not ever work.

The secret to winning the Texas Lotto consistently is to get a tried and tested lottery system that could guarantee winnings every time. These lottery systems would provide every available number picking strategy in order to help you identify which numbers you should include in your selection. This article would talk about a number of strategies but by getting a lottery system of your own, all the strategies would be talked about and you will be taught to pick lottery numbers the best way possible.

One of the strategies in winning Texas Lotto that you would learn from a lottery system is the mixing of odd and even lotto numbers in your selection. Though some people may find it amusing to pick all even or all odd numbers in the lottery, it is actually not a very good idea to do so. Making your number selection homogeneously even or odd would only reduce your probability of winning to 2% to 3%. If you effectively mix odd and even numbers, your chances of winning would go up to as much as 81%. Always keep in mind to use 4:2 or 3:3 proportion of odd and even numbers in your lottery card.

The 54 numbers in Texas Lotto draws have two major divisions: the high and low division. Do not concentrate your choices solely on either the low group (1to 27) or the high group (28 to 54). Use the same proportion prescribed to the odd and even number selection to increase your chances of hitting the jackpot by a mile.

Another technique you could use to make a competent number selection is the summing up of all your selected numbers. You should always keep in mind to maintain a sum that falls between 124 and 200. Your number choices, if summed up, should be balanced. Go any higher or lower than the given range would mean that your game is not balanced, therefore significantly reducing the possibility of getting the right numbers.

All of these strategies may look like they are enough to generate consistent profits for you but they could also sometimes fail. Ensure your lottery profits by getting yourself a lottery system that includes every lottery strategy there is. That way, you could choose a single or a couple of strategies that would best suit you and get the right Texas Lotto numbers every time you make a bet.

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Lottery is a game that has captured the hearts of millions who are wishing to make their dreams come true. Lottery gives hope to a lot of people, most especially those who are not blessed with a good life. Lotto has a lot of variations; one of these is the Texas Lottery. To be able to win in a Texas lottery, you need to comes up with a strategy that can help you beat the odds and bring it down to your favor. If you want to know how, here are some Texas lotto tips and strategies to help you win in a Texas lottery game.

According to some lottery experts, about 70% of all Texas Lotto jackpot prize are won using a simple formula. This formula requires you to get about 70% advantage in every set of number combinations that you choose. While most people say the lottery is just a mere game of luck and chance, still you need more than just a good doze of luck to be able to win the game. You need to use some Texas lotto tips and strategies that can help you beat those long shot lottery odds. In playing Texas lottery, you need to apply some skills to the game, most especially in choosing the numbers to play. Just like in a poker game or any casino card game, a player with a good skill can always gain advantage over the other players.

The 70% formula is just one among the wide array of Texas lotto tips and strategies that can help pick up all the winning numbers. The 70% formula works by selecting the right number combinations. The numbers drawn randomly are more likely to be spread throughout the number field of the game. Therefore, it is very important to choose the numbers carefully, making sure they are pretty close to the winning lotto numbers. When you add all six numbers, you will get a sum. For example, 54+5+13+41+20+32 = 165, adding up these number combinations for several times, you will find that most will fall on the same winning range. In Texas Lottery, the winning sums can range anywhere from 21 up to 309. Hence, you need to choose numbers that will sum up anywhere between that range.

Using this kind of formula, you will be able to easily combine numbers that can beat the odds of Texas lotto. You can easily sum up the numbers, making sure that those numbers will result to a number that is within the winning range. This can help you gain an advantage over the other players.

You can also make use of Texas lotto tips and strategies that analyzes the past trends and predict the future trends. There are a lot of lotto software out there that specializes on his field.

To be able to win consistently in a Texas lottery game, you need to make use of Texas lotto tips and strategies that utilizes past trends and number combinations that can result to a probable winning stint.

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The Texas Megamillions is a lottery event that is run under the Texas government. The most popular of the games is the Mega Millions. The other major game played is known as Lotto Texas. Quite a big difference from Powerball wherein PowerPlay is made available anywhere Powerball is being played, the Texas Megamillions is currently the only state out of all the 12 states that have Mega Millions that has the feature referred to as Megaplier. Basically, this means that players of the Texas Megamillions are given the option to activate what is known as a multiplier in the event that they win a prize that isn’t among the list of jackpots. For about $2, a select group if five white numbers combined with a Mega Ball can potentially win these players a double, a triple or a quadruple prize which can reach up to a million in terms of cash through this Megaplier, Which in essence, is in stark contrast to what is known as PowerPlay for Powerball. Another thing that differentiates the Texas Megamillions from the other states is the fact that players are given another choice between cash or annuity which they can make after winning the jackpot.

Basically, this means that they are given the choice to either take the money in lump sum or take it annually. Most people who win often go for the lump sum. In Texas, however, this option should and must be exercised whilst playing the lottery this means that a ticket for a lump sum cannot be changed to annuity after claiming the prize and vice versa. In October of 2007, they also added another game to the roster which is similar to the set up for Pick 3. This new game is called Daily 4. As you can see, there are plenty of games to play and thus giving you more opportunities to win. But of course, just waiting on luck to bring you that jackpot isn’t going to cut it. After all, there are plenty of people out there who are vying for that same prize and unless you have a really good system or strategy in place to help you win the Texas Megamillions, then your chances are as good as everyone else’s and that, my friend, is not a good thing when it comes to the lottery. Basically, you would want to get some kind of advantage over other people to help you achieve your dream of winning those millions.

Of course, there are plenty of so-called free lottery strategies out there and a simple Google search would prove that. But how sure are you that these strategies actually work and aren’t just a waste of time? Thing is, you wouldn’t want to waste your time on something that’s a hoax and wont be of much help to your goal. You can also depend on luck to happen and win you that Texas Megamillions jackpot but if there’s something out there that would improve your chances at winning, wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity to have it? Basically, to get yourself to a position where you chances at winning are higher than the rest you would require a proven system or strategy that would help you win.

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The Texas Two Step lottery is a great example of a game that is both strategic and fun. The state lottery is an excellent arena for you to shell out your extra dollars while learning about alternative lotto mechanics. In the state of Texas, the Texas Two Step is considered to be the most popular form of lottery. The game beings when an individual is asked to pick four number from and in between 1 to 35. Like most lotto types, this also has a bonus ball number, which can increase your chances of winning. The grand price for this unique game does not go below two hundred thousand dollars so long as you make five matches. If you are also quite hesitant to pick your own number, the quick pick system also applies to the Texas Two Step lottery. A multi-draw feature also allows you to bet for ten advance drawings at once by simply making a distinguishable mark in the designated ticket boxes. Single plays cost only US$1 each and can reflect winnings up to a hundred thousand dollars.

Most lottery systems base on luck as foundation for winning. Unfortunately, even with the convenience of quick picks and other strategies, chances of winning are still small. One effective way to increase the chances of gaining back positive results from your chosen number is by adhering to the Wheeling Systems. Generally, wheeling systems do not guarantee an automatic win after placing your number picks in the Texas Two Step. However, the mechanism gives you more chances of bringing home multiple tier prizes as opposed to you simply randomly selecting the number, or relying on quick picks. The odds of winning the Texas Two Step prize are statistically ranging from 1 to 32. The overall ratio of victory can be quite unsatisfactory if played with mere dependence on luck. Although you can win $5 for simply matching the bonus ball number, naturally, anyone would still want to vie for the grand prize.

There are also a handful of lotto software that provide good combination numbers for players. Most people confirm the effectiveness of most online programs in tracking the best numeral combinations for lottery. You may program these to suit your needs and according to the type of lottery that you participate in. For Texas Two Step, it is much easier to use a software to calculate possible combinations as it has lesser selections or numbers compared to most lotto games.

For serious lotto players, individuals simply log onto the website and place their bets randomly. Sites also offer a few tips and strategies on how to best employ their gaming techniques. You may be able to view advices on when is the best time to place your bets and how to purchase your tickets quickly. Other websites also present lottery news, which is also an effective way to keep track of your bets. Bear in mind that in order for a player to achieve positive results while playing lotto, the correct strategy and technique must put in place so as to lead you to triumph and victory.

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This article presents five reasons why the Alexander Technique can make you a better golfer. There are also five accompanying tips. For over 100 years, the Alexander Technique has helped athletes to be more athletic by giving you the tools to take the greatest advantage of your strength and power. By improving stability and movement mechanics, it can also help you avoid injury, especially back injury. Most importantly, the Alexander Technique offers a feeling of lightness and ease that is its hallmark. Of course you can’t learn the Alexander Technique just from reading an article, but I hope this article will give you the information you need to decide to take a course of lessons.

1. Enhance Your Athleticism

Athleticism can be described as a spring-like quality within the body and the Alexander Technique helps you enhance that quality within yourself. Golf instruction often includes angles, movements and positions. These instructions are important, but there must be an underlying athleticism in order for you to reach your potential. The Alexander Technique helps you experience your body as one integrated and coordinated system, rather than a collection of parts. If you feel like some kind of erector set on the golf course, the Alexander Technique can help you feel more like your whole body is a spring.

*Tip

Stand up and imagine your body as an archer’s bow, oriented as if you are facing the bowstring. Stand straight up, not in a curved position. The bow is a spring and it always wants to expand against the string. Now imagine that someone is pulling the string, causing you to bend. The result may be bending, but in your imagination you are resisting the string and trying to go up. In reality, the string is gravity and we always go up against it, no matter how much we bend. Athletes often seem springy because we are springs.

2. Feel More Grounded, and Generate Greater Leg Power

A clear and stable connection to the ground is essential for a powerful swing. The Alexander Technique helps you establish that connection, not only for golf, but for every step you take. From the approach to the back swing, there should never be a question that your power comes from your connection to the ground. The Alexander Technique shows you how.

*Tip

Improving balance on one leg can help you feel more grounded on two legs. The following exercise may help you realize that your balance is better than you think. Stand up and point one finger high in the air as if you are reaching. Continuing to point your finger, lift your opposite knee until your thigh is parallel to the ground (or as close to that as you can), while also allowing your foot to hang directly under your raised knee. Try to make the tip of your finger and the bottom of your standing foot be as far away from each other as you can. Does the dynamic relationship between your finger pointing up and your foot going down help you to maintain your balance?

3. Develop a Tension Free Neck

Excess neck tension is ubiquitous. If you have ever had a stiff neck, you know how much it inhibits movement in your whole body. A free and supple neck is key to easy movement in the rest of the body. The Alexander Technique teaches you how to avoid tension in your neck during all activities, especially athletic activities.

*Tip

Lie face up on a carpet with your head on a soft cover book. The book should be thick enough so that your face is parallel to the floor. Place your feet flat on the ground so that your knees point toward the ceiling. With your mind’s eye, picture the very top of your spine, a point about the level of your ears and higher than the roof of your mouth. This is the joint where your head and spine meet. To experience more freedom in your neck, think of allowing this joint to soften so that the top of your spine almost seems to fall away from your head.

4. Increase Arm Speed and Reach

Many golfers pull their arms toward their body as they swing. The Alexander Technique helps you discover clarity and freedom in all of your joints. Alexander lessons give you a clear understanding of the difference between your torso and your arms, allowing fuller extension as you swing with ease and power.

*Tip

Going back to the previous tip, lying down with your head on the book and your feet flat on the floor, gently alternate lifting your arms, each time imagining that it float up effortlessly. As you do this, with your mind’s eye, look for the difference between your arms and your torso. Notice that your torso stays on the floor as your arms go forward and look for where your arms connect to your shoulders.

5. Pick Up Your Ball with Ease

It is said that more golfers injure themselves picking up their golf balls than in the swing. By giving you a clearer view of your body’s natural organization, a course of Alexander lessons will allow you to bend with ease for the rest of your life.

*Tip

During the entire bending movement, keep your feet fully on the floor as if you are standing straight, look at the ground, send your knees directly over your feet, and bend only at the hips and never at the waist.

Learning enough about the Alexander Technique to help your golf game generally requires at least 10 private lessons, but you can begin by taking just one introductory lesson. I encourage you to look for a teacher in your area.

Leland Vall, M.AmSAT is a certified Alexander Technique instructor based in New York. He is the author of The Secret to Using Your Body and he teaches individuals and groups how to improve posture, as well as breath, move, sit, and stand with greater ease and strength. Find out how to feel better every day and for the rest of your life at www.freeyourneck.com