What is the Alexander Technique?
Ease, grace, poise, lightness, and balance are qualities that we were designed to enjoy. However, the challenges of modern life have moved us further away from those qualities that are most effective. Pain, fatigue, and stiffness have become heavy replacements that we too willingly accept as normal. The Alexander Technique gently teaches us how we can change old habits of misuse. Denise will help you evaluate how you can better use your body, or your voice, to achieve your best outcome or performance.
Denise is a certified teacher who has completed an intensive three-year training program and is qualified to teach the Alexander Technique. A potential Alexander student should check credentials before spending time and money with a teacher who is not certified. Lessons are tailored to your individual needs and designed to help you to learn to work with the unconscious habits of misuse while performing a range of activities from: sitting at a computer, walking, lifting, playing a musical instrument or an athletic skill. You learn to think about yourself differently, as you move through your day, with efficiency and ease.
Who Benefits?
Are you a musician plagued by nerves, poor breathing, or lack of tone? An actor who would like to shed personal habits that interfere with your performance? Do your shoulders ache at the end of the day? Are you an athlete whose game remains lackluster despite years of playing?
• Those interested in refining, finding ease and economy in their skill. Singers (Art of Singing), Actors (the technique was created by an actor), Musicians (Denise has worked with brass and wind performers for the L.A. Phil), Dancers, Athletes, etc...
• One in pain or physically challenged: bad backs, asthma, stiff necks, repetitive use, old injuries. Anything that may be a result of or aggravated by bad habitual movement. (Student Interview)
• Anyone who is interested in learning more about themselves.
Who was Alexander?
F. Mathias Alexander (1869-1955) was a Shakespearean actor, who despite perfect health, experienced chronic vocal problems during performance. Because medical advice was ineffective, Alexander determined that his problem originated in the use of himself. Over the next six to nine years, he observed himself in front of a panel of three way mirrors and came to the conclusion that his problem was not his voice, but his coordination. In his book, "The Use of the Self", he describes how he pulled his head back and down, which depressed his larynx, shortened his torso, and tensed his legs and feet. This was the breakthrough that led him to resolve his vocal dilema. In addition, he realized the identical mis-coordination was apparent in all of his daily activities.
If you would like more information on F.M. Alexander or on the Alexander Technique click here to link to the website of a colleague of Denise.