I clearly remember being struck by the persuasive body logic of the techniques. I realised very quickly that I could effectively manage my own spinal health - and that was such a relief! Jill O'Sullivan, Editor, Landmark Digital
I had over many years spent a fortune on chiropractic treatments, which were effective at treating my back and neck pain in crisis, but didn't go far enough in helping me manage my body to avoid future spasms. I became determined to find a way to avoid those excruciating, and frightening, spasms that on occasion confined me to my home for days at a time. I can't honestly recall how I came into that first introductory daylong Alexander Technique class, hosted by Veronique and a colleague, but I clearly remember being struck by the persuasive body logic of the techniques. I realised very quickly that I could effectively manage my own spinal health - and that was such a relief!
After that one-day class, I attended a 10-week course with Veronique, followed by a number of one-to-one sessions. After each one of those sessions, I felt remarkably lighter and longer!
The lie-downs are certainly key - proof of that for me is that if I don't do them for a week, I get a little niggle in the small of my back to remind me that yes, there is actually almost always a 20-min slot in the day to look after your very hard-working body.
Other key things for me were:
For someone like me, who suffered spasms about twice a year for the 10 years before I took up the Alexander Technique, it has been fabulously rewarding. Veronique's a great teacher of a wonderful technique.
After that one-day class, I attended a 10-week course with Veronique, followed by a number of one-to-one sessions. After each one of those sessions, I felt remarkably lighter and longer!
The lie-downs are certainly key - proof of that for me is that if I don't do them for a week, I get a little niggle in the small of my back to remind me that yes, there is actually almost always a 20-min slot in the day to look after your very hard-working body.
Other key things for me were:
- Buying myself a shopping trolley (best deals in non-granny ones are online). We've all converted to wheelie suitcases - why are we still trucking bulging shopping bags around?
- If I do have to carry a bag, I always use the three fingers linked to the back muscles, and not the front two lightweights;
- Keeping shoulderbags, boxes - anything I have to carry - as light as possible.
- Using a wedge and footstool to help me sit properly at work, and a headset with my phone. Veronique visited me at my workplace to see how I sat, and how I used my PC, phone, diary etc. Her advice was invaluable.
For someone like me, who suffered spasms about twice a year for the 10 years before I took up the Alexander Technique, it has been fabulously rewarding. Veronique's a great teacher of a wonderful technique.
