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Certified member of the
Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique

Hilary King

BA (Hons) PGDip Psychol. Dip Couns. MSTAT

I am an experienced Alexander Technique teacher based in Stoke Newington, London N16, having qualified in 1987. Whilst I offer 'pure' Alexander lessons and Workshops, my professional experience and background in Ballet, Psychology and Stress Management inform my work.

Training

My first career was in Ballet. I trained at the Royal Ballet School then performed for a number of years, mainly with the Sadlers Wells Opera Ballet (ENO). I subsequently gained a BA in Psychology, a PG Dip in Psychology and Health, plus a Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling and Therapy.

I first had Alexander lessons whilst at college as a mature student. I really enjoyed my lessons and found the AT helped me manage my stress levels, improve my concentration so that I started getting higher marks at college! My AT lessons also helped sort out an old back injury that I'd had since my teens and I decided to go on to qualify as a Teacher of the Alexander Technique. I attended a STAT approved 3 year training with Misha Magidov, at the North London Teacher Training Course and graduated in 1987. Subsequently, I have also had lessons with several first generation Alexander teachers who trained with F M Alexander himself:

Marjorie Barlow, Margaret Goldie, Patrick Macdonald, Tony Spawforth and Peggy Williams.

• Member of STAT, the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Enhanced CRB certificate
• Bound by STAT’s Constitution and their published Code of Professional Conduct
• Registered with CNHC, the Complementary and Natural Health Council
• Professional member of BackCare
• Registered practitioner with BAPAM, the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine

Experience

My teaching has included Courses and Workshops in the Alexander Technique and in Stress Management in my own practise, in Adult Education Colleges and for the corporate sector. My main focus now is the Alexander Technique, which I have been teaching for over 20 years.

I have taught the Alexander Technique at the Royal College of Music, in Crete, on Ernest Read Music Association and LSO Summer Schools.

I have participated as one of the Alexander Teachers in a research trial which compared the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique, Massage and a GP Exercise Programme, as treatments for patients with recurrent and chronic back pain. The research was designed by Southampton University and funded by the MRC and published in the BMJ (Aug 2008).

I am a visiting teacher at LCATT, one of the STAT recognised Alexander Technique Teacher Training Schools.

Teaching Practice

• Individual Alexander Technique Lessons
• Introductory Alexander Technique Short Courses and Workshops
• Alexander Technique Workshops for more experienced pupils
• Teacher Training

Pupils

My AT pupils come from a wide age range, children to pensioners and they are from all walks of life:

Artists and Office Workers; Dancers, Actors, Musicians; Runners, Gardeners and Pregnant Mothers; Doctors, Teachers and Therapists....

Environmental and Ethical Policy

As well as following STAT's code of conduct, I aim to work in a way that protects the environment through using FSC and recycled paper products and a Green Energy supplier, for instance. 

The main charities that my work supports are UNICEF's Children's Emergency Fund, and the Woodland Trust through their Carbon Capture programme.

I am also very actively involved with our local community group.