'Through Alexander lessons with Julie my stress levels have decreased and my posture has improved markedly. I can relax more and approach problems more constructively'.
Brian Wides, corporate trouble-shooter
'Although I love the feeling of leaving a lesson feeling more 'poised' and relaxed, its not the lessons themselves that are the most important part for me - its when Julie helps me to carry that awareness into my day-to-day life that it feels most powerful.'
- Tessa Ware, secondary school teacher/head of department
'Alexander Technique has helped me get rid of RSI and go back to full-time work. Now I hardly ever get back pain any more but if it does come back I know what to do to make it better by using the AT. It's helped me feel better generally.'
- Charlotte Blum, journalist
'Alexander lessons do more than just relieve physical aches and pains: they teach you how to get things done with much less effort.'
- Pam Johnson, writer, lecturer and mother
'It enabled me to return to a normal working life (I had chronic RSI). Now I find it really helps me deal with stress and general fitness.'
- Karen Fitzsimon, landscape architect and mother
'I'm very excited about the potential of Alexander Technique... I draw great health and mental benefits from it. It's about enhancing self-awareness and allowing the body to fall into its natural position, hence easing out any stiffness and pain. Thoroughly relaxing and enriching.'
- Jean-Kristin Lange, project manager
'I had to take early retirement because of chronic lower back pain and sciatica, despite trying osteopathy, massage therapy and physiotherapy.. The AT has enabled me to greatly reduce pain and spasm, to stand more comfortably, to ease tension and relax more, to move more freely, to improve my posture, to alleviate stiffness and strain and much more. It has benefited me on many levels - I feel I can participate in life again more easily, physically and mentally.'
- Laurel Newman, retired early years' teacher
'I've tried many therapies - osteopathy, chiropractic, massage, physiotherapy, pilates, acupuncture - to help manage my debilitating back pain and the Alexander Technique is, without doubt, the most effective at reducing pain and teaching a method for long term improved health. I have recommended it to many people and owe a great debt to my teacher, Julie Barber, for her instruction, care and patience.'
- Simon Clark, mental health nurse
'As someone with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome the Alexander Technique has really helped how I stand, walk and sit, and with learning how to relax my body. In particular it has drawn my attention to what I was doing with my knees. By simply not locking them backwards my pain levels have significantly decreased. The AT is also very helpful for learning to release tension, especially after dislocations and subluxations, and in learning to re-align my balance when standing and walking after being on crutches for a period of time. I would strongly recommend trying the Alexander Technique if you have EDS, it has improved my mobility and pain levels a great deal.'
- Francesca Seeley, theatre director
'I first went to Julie when suffering from stress and pain due to
tension. Her application of the Alexander Technique - gentle movements
coupled with close awareness of my body - produced a soothing reaction.
I learned to relax and soon felt the benefits. But it is not only
physical suffering the Alexander Technique alleviates. I called Julie
for help after a painful bereavement and the support her Alexander
Technique offered became invaluable.'
- Dr Felizitas Ringham, university lecturer (Birkbeck)
'I first became aware of the
Alexander Technique about 18 years ago and decided to have some lessons
from Julie at a time when I was going through a very stressful period
at work. I found the lessons extremely liberating - all the
tension I was holding in my body disappeared under Julie's expert
guidance and I found a new strength and confidence in myself that I
didn't realise was there.
One incident in particular
stands out and illustrates the benefits if Alexander lessons very clearly
for me. I had had a particularly difficult day at work and
was dealing with the painful issue of staff redundancies. Under
attack from distressed staff I left the office for the day not knowing
how I was going to handle things the following day. I felt drained
and deflated. Julie offered to give me a lesson first thing the
following morning before I went into the office. I can only
say that thanks to that Alexander lesson, I went into work with a clear
head, renewed energy and confidence and the ability to work effectively.
I got my direction back and the rest just followed. That
has essentially been my experience of the Technique.'
- Maureen Loughran, theatre manager and mother