Think Up Academy

Think Up Academy By Maaike Aarts since 2002 | Try my free app: thinkup.nl/en/app | Access my online course & more: https://linktr.ee/thinkupbymaaike

25/03/2026

Try this out right now: without moving or changing position, can you reduce excess tension from your body? The answer is always yes!

The releasing of tension is part of the skill of Stopping. With practise, Stopping can help you identify areas where you can be a little softer and more at ease.

It's very simple to do, and the benefits compound over time — gradually transforming your habits and supporting a mind and body with flow, balance, and ease.

Download my free Think Up app and start “Stopping” today.

16/03/2026

Would you put buckets under a leaking roof, or fix the roof forever?

The same goes for addressing tension in your body.

Relaxation methods like massage or stretching help after tension appears.

The Alexander Technique practice of “Stopping” addresses the source before it starts.

Stop patching symptoms. Start finding out the root cause today.

25/02/2026

What if the most helpful thing you could do before moving or reacting… is nothing?

In the Alexander Technique, “Stopping” is a simple but powerful way to prevent tension before it builds up.

In this video, I share three parts of this practice:

1️⃣ Briefly pausing before you act: preventing unnecessary tightening in the neck, shoulders, back, and breath.

2️⃣ Choosing your focus: gently widening your attention instead of narrowing into effort.

3️⃣ Staying soft, easy, and connected while you continue your activity, so you can keep releasing tension as it returns.

30/01/2026

When life doesn’t go as expected…

Do you immediately react, or can you pause for a moment and let things settle?

Our days are made up of countless stimulus–response cycles.

When you learn to pause, your response can support your well-being instead of adding strain.

Awareness is where choice begins.

16/01/2026

Right now, you may be leaning your head forward toward your screen. Have you ever wondered why your brain isn’t telling you that something is off? Why isn’t your brain telling you to change your head position?

That’s because your brain does not flag habitual patterns. Once a habit is established, the brain learns to treat it as the status quo and stops sending warning signals.

12/01/2026

Imagine drinking tea without sugar for the first time. Your brain immediately sounds the alarm, simply because you’ve stepped off your familiar path — not because tea without sugar is objectively bad.

If you’re having trouble being consistent in your New Year’s resolution to adopt better habits (and it’s only been 10+ days into 2026), that’s because your brain is stopping you by sending the alarm 😬!!

🎥 Watch the full-length video on YouTube to learn why this happens — and, more importantly, what you can do about it. See comments below!

In the summer of 2026, I’m hosting an Alexander Technique Summer Retreat in France: a week to learn how to release tensi...
20/12/2025

In the summer of 2026, I’m hosting an Alexander Technique Summer Retreat in France: a week to learn how to release tension, move with more ease, and reconnect with yourself in the beautiful French countryside. 🍃

The upcoming retreat will be different from the previous ones.

This time, alongside Doris Hochscheid (cellist) and myself (violinist), we are joined by Gilles Rullmann — an experienced Alexander Technique teacher, Irish fiddle player, and running specialist.

Together, we bring three different string traditions and movement perspectives, enriching how the Alexander Technique is explored, experienced, and applied, whether you come as a musician, office worker, or simply as someone curious about freer movement.

You'll receive 11 hands-on workshops and 4 private lessons for skills you can use in everyday life, for the rest of your life.

Expect free movement, lying down on the grass, rest, inspiring conversations with a small and supportive group, fresh vegetarian meals, time to read, and long walks in nature.

📅 6–12 July 2026
📍 Fontaines St. Clair, France

You’re very welcome to email me at [email protected] for details and availability!

P.S. This is open to everyone, whether new or experienced in the Alexander Technique.

To know more, visit thinkup.nl/en/retreat

Hope to see you there! 😊

14/12/2025

Dear all, I need your help and feedback! It will take only 1 minute of your time.
Do you remember my post with the vegetables last Monday? 🥬

Here are my 2 very first ads for my Think Up app, which is ready to reach people beyond the Alexander Technique community.

I’d love to borrow your eyes (and your honesty). I stitched the two short videos as one:
Option 1 = Posture
Option 2 = Tension

Which one feels clearer or more compelling to you?

Just comment 1 or 2 and feel free to share what made you choose it.

Your feedback really means a lot to me. Thank you so much!

Curious what on earth I’m doing here? 🥬Filming my very first two ads for my Think Up app! I will be posting a poll here ...
08/12/2025

Curious what on earth I’m doing here? 🥬

Filming my very first two ads for my Think Up app! I will be posting a poll here very soon, so please keep an eye out! I would love to hear your feedback 😄

02/12/2025

🧠Our brains love efficiency. They turn repeated actions into automatic pathways.

That’s why changing a habit can feel like swimming upstream.
In the Alexander Technique, we learn to rewire these pathways safely and with awareness.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: 6 Reasons Why Habits Are Hard to Change — and What to Do About It.

25/11/2025

Our habits shape our future often more than our decisions do.

When we act on autopilot, we repeat the same patterns without realizing it.
In the Alexander Technique, we learn to change safely and consciously.

📽️Watch the whole video on YouTube → 6 Reasons Why Habits Are Hard to Change — and What to Do About It.

Link in the comments 👇

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