Breath as Postural Process™

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Breath as Postural Process (BPP) is the insightful understanding that breathing and posture are inextricably linked; our postural organization influences how we breathe, and our breathing patterns, in turn, affect our overall coordination. While BPP is rooted in the teachings of F. M. Alexander, Alexander’s own writings on breathing are limited, and much of his original approach wasn’t fully transmitted to later generations of teachers. Ron Dennis, Ed.D.—a veteran Alexander Technique teacher—has spent decades addressing this gap. Through extensive study of Alexander’s work and in-depth research into respiratory mechanics, he has integrated current anatomical and physiological knowledge with Alexander’s principles of psycho-physical use.

When explored consciously, BPP can support both our baseline, automatic (vegetative) breathing and our managed or intentionally coordinated breathing, the kind we call on for speaking, singing, playing wind instruments, swimming, or other activities that require refined control. By bringing awareness to the relationship between breathing and postural tone, students can develop more efficient, responsive, and easeful patterns in a wide range of situations.

I’m pleased to have completed Ron’s training program and to be certified to teach BPP. I enjoy weaving this work into Alexander Technique lessons, and I’m always happy to focus on it more deeply with students who are especially interested in improving their breathing.

For more information on Breath as Postural Process, see

The Posturality of the Person, A Guide to Postural Education and Therapy (chapter 7) by Ron Dennis