Mind in Body Awareness

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is first and foremost a practical, down-to-earth way to become aware of, and get in touch with, our habitual reactions. Using the body as a gateway to identify our patterns of resistance is a wonderful and accessible way to work with the self. Personal development can easily turn into self-deception; but with the help of the Alexander Technique it becomes easier to reconnect and stay aligned with our true self. It can also help ease and reduce the incidence of a wide range of problems, such as back and postural complaints, neck and shoulder pain, breathing difficulties, stress-related conditions, general fatigue, etc.

F.M. Alexander

By learning how to release superfluous tension, you will enhance your overall sense of balance and well-being, and it will allow you to find a better way of coping with everyday living.
Instead of working against the design of the body, you will learn how to work with it.
When you discover what you actually do to prevent balance and harmony you can learn how to stop your habitual reaction to a stimulus, and become aware that you have a choice.

In learning the Alexander Technique you will:

• Become aware of habitual patterns that interfere with ease and poise
• Learn how you can stop your habitual reaction to a stimulus
• Realise that you can consciously choose how you respond.

Although working with a teacher is a lot easier than discovering all this by yourself (as Alexander did), the process of changing habits of a lifetime is obviously not something that happens overnight. In order to benefit from learning the Technique, it helps a lot to have a willingness to want to know yourself better. However, some people just love the experience of being able to release superfluous tension and coming back to 'neutral'. Whatever your approach, an Alexander Technique session with me is a thoroughly enjoyable, deeply relaxing and refreshing experience!

What Pupils Say

"Having suffered with back pain for many years I was recommended to Maartje de Wolff as an experienced teacher of Alexander Technique. The lessons have proved to be the high point of my week. I now know how to avoid back pain and on the rare occasions I do have a 'twinge' I know how to manage my body to minimise pain and inconvenience. I also believe that the Alexander Technique has had a calming effect on me generally and helps me enormously in dealing with the stresses of 21st century living. Besides being an effective teacher Maartje has a gentle and empathetic nature and the time spent with her makes the lessons a very pleasurable experience."

"Having been to Maartje for Alexander Technique sessions, on and off, for the last 12 years, I can honestly say that she is a life saver."

"Studying the Alexander Technique with Maartje was a real eye-opener. Under her relaxed guidance I was free to begin to listen to my body at my own pace, sometimes making huge strides in progress and sometimes turning up simply to enjoy the table work!"

"I used to get lower back pain regularly and once every six months have an episode of pain so bad I would have to stay at home for a few days. With Maartje's help, the episodes are practically non-existent. When there is pain my understanding of what I'm doing badly helps the recovery process immensely. Maartje also helped me understand that I have the ability to work more efficiently and calmly, using the simple breathing procedure that I learnt in the lessons."

Alexander Technique sessions

I am an experienced and qualified Alexander Teacher, and have been teaching the Alexander Technique for over two decades to hundreds of people. I am now offering Alexander sessions at your own home. If you live in the London area, the price for a one 50-minute session is £60; 4 sessions are £220. I also offer introductory half-day workshops in your home, for 3-5 people, at the price of £39 per person. They are fun, informative and hugely beneficial.

Please contact me for more information and to book a session or a half day introductory workshop.

Top