Many people collect things. I know some people who take pleasure and pride in their beautiful Swiss Watches. Maharaja Jai Singh II, however, collected something else...
Between 1727 and 1733 he constructed and collected architectural astronomical instruments in Jaipur. His collection consists mainly of sun dials! They are very impressive but not very handy. The worldwide largest one - at the Jantar Mantar lab in Jaipur - is about 30 metres high and has an accuracy of 2 seconds!
What is interesting about the sun dials in terms of the Alexander Technique is how people manage to take the huge steps. These are 45 cm high compared to the usual 15-20 cm!
Letting the weight drop onto the front foot when walking down is very dangerous with such high steps. Staying on the back foot is much advised. However, when trying this out, many people complain because of strain in their knees. The reason for this is, obviously, different from person to person. Often the strain is caused either by excessive muscle tension or suboptimal weight-transmission.
I did enjoy the balancing challenge of each step of the Jantar Mantar stairs. Of course I was happy about each step which went well. At the same time, some steps which did not go so well gave me lots of information on how not to walk stairs. This in turn has further refined my efficiency in walking stairs and in teaching how to walk up and down stairs.
On exiting the lab, you can get some delicious Kulfi, Indian ice-cream. I truely enjoyed my afternoon in Jaipur. One highlight followed the other...