The ears and balance

The Ears and Primary Control: A Simple Guide for Alexander Technique Teachers

How a small anatomical detail—the position of the ears—can change the way we teach, understand, and experience Primary Control.

The Hidden Architecture of Balance

Most people think the head balances at the back of the skull. In reality, the pivot point—the atlanto-occipital joint—sits just between and slightly behind the ears. This is not a random fact of anatomy. It’s essential to the functioning of the dynamic relationship between the head, neck, and back that governs coordination.Understanding the ear’s location helps us see why the head “going forward and up” works. It gives us a practical reference point for both our own use and for teaching.

Where Are Your Ears, Really?

The visible ear is just the outer shell. Deep inside the skull, the inner ear houses the cochlea (for hearing) and the vestibular system (for balance). The entire system sits inside the temporal bones—very close to the actual balance point of the head.Draw a line between your ears and you’re tracing the axis around which the skull naturally nods. That’s the pivot Alexander was referring to—whether he knew the anatomical names or not.

The Vestibular System: Your Inner Balance Guide

Inside each ear are:- 3 semicircular canals (detecting head rotation)- 2 otolith organs (sensing linear movement and head position relative to gravity)These are your body’s “spirit levels.” They influence muscle tone, coordination, and posture.When your head is balanced freely at the atlanto-occipital joint (between the ears), your vestibular system can do its job. When the head is pulled back and down, this system gets distorted—leading to excess tension, poor balance, and miscoordination.

Reframing Primary Control

Alexander observed that when the head is allowed to go forward and up, the back lengthens and widens. We know that the head is front-heavy. If balanced correctly, it naturally tips forward, encouraging the spine to release upward.That release happens at the joint between the ears. Not the base of the skull. Not the neck itself. Between the ears.This is why “forward” doesn’t mean pushing the chin or leaning in. It means allowing a tiny nodding release at that central pivot point.

Teaching with the Ears in Mind

Here are cues that can help students:- “Think of your head balancing between your ears.”- “Allow the space between your ears to widen.”- “Let your ears go back and up.”

-       Smile from ear to ear.These cues give students a more accurate body map and help them stop interfering with Primary Control.

-       The head doesn’t balance on top of the spine—it balances between the ears, slightly forward of where most imagine.

Explorations You Can Try (or Teach)

1. Finding the Pivot PointPlace fingers gently in your ears. Nod very slightly. Feel the head rotate around that point. Now try nodding at the base of your skull—feel the difference in effort.2. Releasing the Head’s WeightLie on the floor with knees bent. Imagine your head resting on a line between your ears. Let the crown of your head release slightly forward. Feel how that softens the neck.3. Ears and ListeningClose your eyes. Have someone make a sound in the space around you. Then try again while pulling your head back and down. Notice any difference in spatial awareness. Then release forward and up—notice the clarity.

Why This Matters

I believe that understanding the anatomy gives us confidence in the principles we teach. It helps demystify “forward and up” for students. Instead of trying to imagine abstract directions, they can think of real anatomical landmarks: the ears, the pivot point, the balance system inside the head.This isn’t just about poise. It’s about perception, presence, and allowing the body’s design to work.

Final Thought

Alexander didn’t know the inner workings of the vestibular system. But through deep observation, he found a way to stop interfering with it. He discovered that by releasing the head at its true balance point—between the ears—everything else improves.Let’s keep listening. Our ears already know the way.

Resources for Further Study

- The Use of the Self by F.M. Alexander- Body Learning by Michael Gelb- Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain- Vestibular resources from the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA)