Just for today, I will try not to stiffen my neck
I love teaching the Alexander technique. My pupils include horse riders, singers, musicians, people with back pain, people with respiratory problems, people who want to improve their wellbeing by using their bodies better. They range in age from 8 to 87 and come from all walks of life. I can honestly say that anyone can benefit from lessons.
I am a teaching member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) and I received a Masters Degree from the University of East London for my work based learning research into the Alexander Technique.
I have a background in textiles, embroidery and photography and I play the piano (not brilliantly I might add-but I love it and it comes in handy when I teach pianists in my private practice).
In addition to my private practice I run an accredited Alexander Technique teacher training programme, and postgraduate refresher courses in the UK and internationally. I gave the F.M. Alexander Memorial lecture in Edinburgh in 2003 and the inaugural F. M. Alexander memorial lecture in New Zealand in 2005. I was named as one of 20 international ‘second generation’ continuous learning teachers for the 8th International Alexander Technique Congress in Lugano, Switzerland in 2008.
I feel privileged to have been trained by Walter and Dilys Carrington at the Constructive Teaching Centre in London, qualifying in 1982. Walter ran Alexander’s own training course and took over at Alexander’s death in 1955. He ran a remarkable course, together with Dilys and other teachers up to his own death in 2005. Dilys was a very creative teacher who influenced the development of what is known as ‘hand-on’ skills, the subtle, elastic quality that defines a good Alexander teachers hands.
Dilys and Walter Carrington with myself and daughter
on a beach in St Kilda, Melbourne Australia in 1987
I documented this approach of Dily’s in 1986, and in 1987, Walter and Dilys visited Australia, where I was the assistant director of The Melbourne Alexander Teacher Training School, to see how her ideas were being put into practice. I reviewed the document when I undertook a master’s degree in Alexander Technique Teacher training in 2003.
My first book, Body, Breath & Being, was published in September 2008. It contains an audio CD to help further understanding of some tricky concepts and is a wonderful introduction to the Alexander Technique as well as a working manual for those having lessons. You can get it here.
I am presently working on another book aimed at musicians in conjunction with my good friend Malcolm Balk, another Alexander teacher, musician and marathon runner (I don’t run!). I have had many articles published in a varity of magazines and wrote a monthly column for The Argus for 4 years.
I carry professional insurance, abide by a code of conduct and hold a current CRB check.