My Philosophy

I have had the privilege of learning and studying privately with a wealth of Master Alexander teachers such as Chloe Wing, Nancy Wechter, Joan Arnold, Jessica Wolf, Belinda Mello, Ann Rodiger and most recently Mio Morales. There are many ways to teach Alexander’s principles. And I have found that there is no one right way. The joy of teaching for me is staying present, and discovering what works for that client and his/her particular understanding and needs.

We are always learning, and there is no moment of “getting it right” with Alexander. My certifying teacher, Chloe Wing emphasized the importance of kindness in this process. I believe that however we enter into this learning, kindness is paramount. We are working with the nervous system – and it can get nervous! Each of us deserves to feel safe as we begin to observe ourselves, and I try to hold that safe space in my work.

I believe that every lesson is an opportunity to slow down, listen more, and grow. Since the pandemic, I have been teaching Alexander online, and using movement studies and concepts I have learned from “Primal Alexander” developed by Mio Morales. His work has enhanced my ability to empower my students and given me more ways to offer my clients to practice and observe themselves. We all need ways of working with ourselves that don’t trigger our self-critic, and allow us to keep moving toward expansion. Here is what one of my acting students expressed about his experience with this approach in an online environment last spring:

When I was first introduced to the Alexander Technique….it was presented to me as a way in which to find my optimal use of self…it fostered a sense of "if there is a more optimal use for myself, why am I not finding it…It led to a downward spiral of judgement that seeped into all the aspects of my work. It seemed like if one aspect wasn't good enough then all the others would suffer…So [the difference now after our class] if I had the chance to describe the Alexander Technique to a friend who had never studied it, I would do so in a way that would remove as much potential for criticism and judgement as possible. I would say, regarding theatre work, Alexander Technique is a place to begin. It's a way to discover grounding. It's a way in which you allow the work to work on you, instead of you on it. Where you go from there, is entirely open-ended.