Summary
Robert Rickover introduces metronome therapy — a practice involving rhythmic bilateral movements synchronized to a metronome beat — and explores how it could be combined with Alexander Technique principles. The therapy is primarily used by occupational therapists for children with developmental issues and people with Parkinson's disease, but Robert sees potential for Alexander teachers to adopt it as a procedure alongside constructive rest and other standard practices. The combination works on two levels: metronome therapy builds bilateral coordination and sensory integration across brain hemispheres, while Alexander Technique directions improve the quality of the movements being performed. Robert suggests starting at 40 beats per minute and working up to around 64 BPM, which practitioners consider optimal. Imogen draws connections to practices she already uses from Mio Morales's approach, where rhythmic hand movements are combined with constructive thinking. They discuss applications during constructive rest (small hand and foot movements with opposite-side coordination) and even at bedtime, with the possibility of falling asleep to the metronome.
Key Points
- Metronome therapy involves bilateral movements synchronized to a beat, building coordination across brain hemispheres
- It is primarily used for children with developmental issues and people with Parkinson's disease
- Alexander Technique can add quality of movement to the coordination-building exercises
- Start at about 40 BPM and work up to around 64 BPM, which many practitioners consider optimal
- Exercises are "general domain sensory integration" — benefits carry over into all activities
- Alexander directions like "I'm free" or "I'm not thinking" can be broken into syllables and synced to the beat
- Constructive rest is an ideal setting for combining small bilateral movements with Alexander directing
- No special equipment is needed beyond a free metronome app on your phone
Key Moments
Metronome therapy basics and bilateral coordination exercises
Robert introduces metronome therapy — rhythmic bilateral movements synchronized to a beat — and demonstrates how engaging opposite arm and leg patterns builds cross-hemisphere brain coordination.
"This is something that is called metronome therapy, which I didn't ever knew was a thing until quite recently. And it involves doing those kinds of movements where you engage parts of your body bilaterally."
Combining Alexander directions with metronome rhythm
Robert demonstrates syncing Alexander directions to the metronome beat — breaking "I'm not thinking" into four syllables matched to four beats, adding a layer of constructive thinking to the coordination exercises.
"you're not only making those movements, but you're maybe making, if you use a really simple Alexander direction, like I'm free, you just make, bring, I'm free. You could even just say free. Now I prefer the, the I'm not thinking direction in general. So I'm not, am not thinking. So it's like four stages, four stages."
Using metronome therapy during constructive rest and bedtime
They discuss combining small bilateral movements with constructive rest — tiny opposite-side hand and foot movements while lying down, with the possibility of even falling asleep to the metronome.
"If you're lying down maybe it could be in constructive rest or lying down getting ready to go to sleep, have the metronome on and just do some little movements. It could be just combining a little movement of a right foot with a left hand."
