confessions of a couch potato

 

As a clumsy, unsporty child, a couch potato until my 30’s and an adult totally out of touch with my body, the Alexander Technique was a revelation.  I thought I was destined for a life of the mind, but it hasn’t worked out that way.  The growing relationship with my physical self has been exciting, frustrating, confusing, but hugely beneficial.

As I discovered my body, I became interested in exercise. This led me to train as a Pilates teacher in 2006. Since then, I have taken many Pilates specialist courses including back pain, scoliosis, osteoporosis, hypermobility, pregnancy, the older person. At one stage of my life, I went in for some serious weight training.

Some years ago I developed a pain in my foot which drove me to investigate the function of the foot.  I learned and developed techniques that can help many problems, from flat feet to high arches.

As an Alexander Teacher, I was pretty critical of many chairs and sofas.  And after listening to my pupils complaining about awful sofas, train seats, etc., and how these made their back pain worse, I became interested in chair design and its role in the development of poor posture and back pain, and campaigned for more sensible seat design.

This led to my involvement with the charity BackCare.  I was appointed to the committee which oversees their publications in 2000.

I was introduced to Trauma/Tension Release Exercise by another Alexander Teacher.  It was so fascinating that I decided to train as a provider. TRE helps release trauma and tension.  People generally feel more relaxed and grounded after shaking.

In my 20’s, I was meditating regularly.  After my Alexander training, this slipped.  Teaching the Technique full time satisfied the need.  Increasing age brings new needs and challenges and I returned to meditation some time ago.

Qualifications

Member: the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique Body Control Pilates Association Level 4 Specialist Low Back Pain, Complementary and Natural Health Council