Poised For Life

On back pain and posture

"For eight years I had constant back pain of varying degrees due to spinal disc problems and narrowing of the spinal canal. I had deteriorated so much that I could only walk short distances with a stick.. I had also lost all my confidence. None of the treatments through orthodox channels helped in any way.
I do not remember what led me to the Alexander Technique but I knew from the very first lesson with Penny that this was a worthwhile technique to pursue. In a short time I began to notice some changes such as less pain and the big breakthrough came in a few months. As I reached for my stick I suddenly realised that I did not need it. I just could not believe it.
It is now nine months since that day and I have maintained a gradual improvement. I have times of being pain free and I no longer require pain killers. I am convinced that if I had not discovered the Alexander Technique I would probably now be housebound."
Gwenda Jones - Retired Nurse

"My back pain disappeared completely after a few lessons. I feel taller and more confident. It has gone a long way to making me more laid back and less immediately reactive. I am less tired and I am more aware of what my body is doing."
Frances Thomas - Retired

"I used to wake up creaking like an old staircase. While learning the Tecnique, the morning aches disappeared. As my work involves a lot of lifting, my back pain was especially worrying. Through the classes my back has improved greatly. I feel that learning the Alexander Technique has helped my future as well as my present. Apart from being beneficial, the classes are enjoyable. It would be hard to find a teacher more informed and dedicated than Penny and I would have no hesitation in recommending her."
James Carroll - Furniture Maker

"The Alexander Technique has not only improved my posture which pleases me greatly but also very importantly it has almost elliminated the body ache which I experienced as a result of my working position."
H.L. - Dentist

"As a result of the limited time spent with Alexander Technique, my back and leg problems were substantially eased and eventually pain and awkwardness in various basic movements disappeared entirely. It has taught me to be more 'upright', more 'inhibited' [in the Alexander sense] and to lead with the head. Driving, guitar playing, my golf swing - in fact all my general activities have benefitted greatly and I feel taller."
Mr C.L. - Management Consultant.

"I did a series of Alexander Technique lessons with Penny over a six month period. I went initially because I was aware that I had a stooped posture. I had no idea what to expect, but I immediately felt comfortable with both Penny and the Alexander philosophy. The thing I love about the Alexander Technique is that it showed me that using my body properly is a natural gift - not something that has to be forced. I also learned that when my body was being used properly, I felt much happier in myself, more confident and open. But I think the biggest pleasure for me was walking into Penny's house feeling all scattered and full of busy thoughts and leaving feeling still calm and centred."
Lailani Burra - I.T. Manageress

When I apply Alexander Technique, my body becomes more supple and I am able to bend, walk uphill more easily and relieve lower back pain. Also I have better balance.
T.W.

On breathing

"I began lessons after a period of serious illness which left me weak and with a permanently incapacitated right lung. The Alexander Technique helped me grow more aware of how I used my body and its energy in daily activity and took the strain out of sitting, walking etc. It also reminded me of the need to stop and rest, offering me an exercise to assist with letting go. As Penny worked with me on my breathing, I felt content that I was doing everything possible to maximise my remaining lung capacity. I now began to understand why the Australians called FM Alexander 'The Breathing Man'."
Suzanne Owen - Law Lecturer

On Head and Neck Pains

When I began learning the Alexander Technique I had been suffering from chronic head and neck pain for four and a half years after a head injury and car accident. I had tried many other ways of controlling the pain, some methods would work for a short time but none had worked permanently. Learning the Alexander Technique with Penny over a period of time the pain in my head and neck subsided and I am now out of pain. Learning the Alexander Technique has not only helped me manage the head and neck pain but it has also helped me with the pain I was suffering in my lower back and knee. As an artist I have recognised how the Alexander Technique relates to the creative process and I have found that the technique has opened up ways of developing my own creativity."
C Kinsey - Artist

On pregnancy

"I found the Alexander Technique extremely helpful both in pregnancy and in childbirth. Even during the later stages of pregnancy when I was much heavier than normal I felt a wonderful sense of lightness and rarely felt dragged down by the weight. During childbirth, I was able simply to focus on the present, instead of anticipating the pain to come. This made me far more relaxed and less anxious. The 'whisphered ah' [an Alexander proceedure] was also a very helpful way of tackling the start of each contraction and made a huge difference to pain levels. The midwives actually commented that I was dealing very well with labour!"
J Arthur - Mother

"I really enjoyed my sessions with Penny while I was pregnant, not only because of the physical benefits but also because of the terrific sense of inner calm that came with them - never more valued than during the last few weeks. This is something that I also appreciate now that I have the baby: a session with Penny leaves me feeling less hunched up and almost serene! I cannot recommend her and her work highly enough."
R Schroder - Translator

On Parkinson's Disease

Since having lessons with Penny, I have regained my confidence and feel more positive. I was walking with a decided stoop and shuffling - the [Alexander] Technique has been of great benefit to this, helping me to walk taller and eliminate the shuffling.
M.R. - Farmer's Wife

General

"Penny I want to congratulate you on being such an inspirational teacher and also for handling my deafness in such a confident, friendly and professional way."
Cecilia Lindberg - Biologist

"Excellent training - undoing all my controlling techniques and letting go - learning to do less to achieve more with less effort. The less I did the better I was. Highly recommended - a must for everyone."
Susan Evans - Hotelier

The Alexander Technique is amazing! My body feels younger and lighter. I feel relaxed and more able to cope with lower back pain. It has been worth every penny I spent on lessons. Many thanks Penny.
Susan Hodgson - retired caterer