My story

I first came to the Alexander Technique as a means of preventing future potential problems, having a family history of serious back and neck conditions. Not only did I learn better whole-body coordination, removing the usual strains on my back from poor use, but I also discovered many other benefits that I carried into my daily life. Every lesson brought a sense of well-being and my calmer state of mind helped me cope better with a stressful job. I was also able to sit comfortably for the first time because of my improved posture.

As someone who was originally involved in scientific research and who then spent many years in a desk job in the pharmaceutical industry, I continually ‘lived in my head’. Through the Alexander Technique I have gradually integrated thinking and activity, better coordinating mind and body. After several years of lessons, which began in 1998, I decided to train as a teacher and in 2006 I successfully completed the 3-year full-time training course at the Manchester Alexander Technique Training School.

I am now practising in Knutsford, Cheshire where I offer individual lessons, as well as running introductory group courses and workshops in Knutsford, Wilmslow and Northwich. I am also an active researcher on the Alexander Technique. I am a member of STAT's Scientific Research Committee and am currently a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of York, where I am collaborating on a clinical trial of Alexander lessons for people with chronic neck pain. Recently I wrote a review of the effectiveness of Alexander lessons for different health problems, published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.