Hilary King's Blog
Read more about the Alexander Technique including observations on more general topics that interest me, and notifications about my teaching timetable.
Dates for Your Diary
Please note I will not be teaching the Alexander Technique in Stoke Newington from
Monday 8th February - Friday 19th February.
If you would like to enquire about the upcoming Alexander Technique Workshops, or would like to book some individual lessons with me, please contact me here and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to do so.
Please note I will not be teaching the Alexander Technique in Stoke Newington from
Monday 8th February - Friday 19th February.
If you would like to enquire about the upcoming Alexander Technique Workshops, or would like to book some individual lessons with me, please contact me here and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to do so.
Alexander Technique Workshop
In aid of the UNICEF Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal
£25 Minimum Fee / Donation
All the workshop fees will be donated to UNICEF and will be added to by Gift Aid
Saturday 20th March ~10.00am - 12.00pm
This workshop is for a small group of beginners, maximum six participants, so it is essential to pay in advance to reserve a place
Further Information here
Half Price follow-up lesson available to participants
In aid of the UNICEF Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal
£25 Minimum Fee / Donation
All the workshop fees will be donated to UNICEF and will be added to by Gift Aid
Saturday 20th March ~10.00am - 12.00pm
This workshop is for a small group of beginners, maximum six participants, so it is essential to pay in advance to reserve a place
Further Information here
Half Price follow-up lesson available to participants
Poise and Posture
When we are children, most people have a beautiful easy poise, as is illustrated in this photo of a little girl sitting on a giant snow seat. Despite the obvious cold, the child is sitting easily and in a relaxed manner, whilst many adults would be bent over and tensed up against the chill!
There are many influences in our lives that get us interfering with our natural poise. Our attitudes and emotional experiences are reflected in the way we use our bodies and our minds gradually tend to become rather set so that our view of the world - and our physical responses to it - become rather fixed and habitual. Stress, peer group pressures, accidents and illnesses all play their part in moulding our habitual body use and many of us end up crumpling our bodies down into ourselves - whilst others over-extend and arch their backs in an attempt to 'stand up straight' - both of which pull us off our balance and poise.
Fortunately, F M Alexander realised that we are able to reduce some of these effects if we are willing to let go of habits of thought and behaviour that interfere with our natural use. During Alexander Technique lessons, we can learn how to do this and in so doing, regain much of the fluid, free and poised way of being and moving that we had as children and feeling more comfortable in ourselves.
You may read more about Alexander Technique classes here.
When we are children, most people have a beautiful easy poise, as is illustrated in this photo of a little girl sitting on a giant snow seat. Despite the obvious cold, the child is sitting easily and in a relaxed manner, whilst many adults would be bent over and tensed up against the chill!
There are many influences in our lives that get us interfering with our natural poise. Our attitudes and emotional experiences are reflected in the way we use our bodies and our minds gradually tend to become rather set so that our view of the world - and our physical responses to it - become rather fixed and habitual. Stress, peer group pressures, accidents and illnesses all play their part in moulding our habitual body use and many of us end up crumpling our bodies down into ourselves - whilst others over-extend and arch their backs in an attempt to 'stand up straight' - both of which pull us off our balance and poise.
Fortunately, F M Alexander realised that we are able to reduce some of these effects if we are willing to let go of habits of thought and behaviour that interfere with our natural use. During Alexander Technique lessons, we can learn how to do this and in so doing, regain much of the fluid, free and poised way of being and moving that we had as children and feeling more comfortable in ourselves.
You may read more about Alexander Technique classes here.
Introductory Alexander Technique Course starts Monday 11 January - 1.0pm - 2.30pm.
Please note that the upcoming Introductory Alexander Technique Course will now be running for 4 sessions on Monday lunchtimes, rather than 5.
The fee for the course is now £65.
This course is for a small group of beginners. Please contact Hilary to see if it is still possible to book a place on the course. You may also phone her re the course or to book an individual lesson.
Tel: 020 7254 9206
Please note that the upcoming Introductory Alexander Technique Course will now be running for 4 sessions on Monday lunchtimes, rather than 5.
The fee for the course is now £65.
This course is for a small group of beginners. Please contact Hilary to see if it is still possible to book a place on the course. You may also phone her re the course or to book an individual lesson.
Tel: 020 7254 9206
New Research Paper
A new paper has been published in the OUP Family Practice (23 December 2009) which reports the findings of research into patients' views and attitudes towards learning the Alexander Technique, as part of the ATEAM Trial into treatments for chronic back pain.
This research looked at the psychological aspects underlying the ATEAM Trial and the outcomes showed that patients found the Alexander Technique was 'effective' and 'made sense' as it could be used during everyday activities, it had a 'convincing rationale' and that teachers provided good support and personal advice. The Alexander Technique was generally seen to be more acceptable to patients than the exercise regime which was prescribed by the doctors.The Technique was also seen as improving the patients' quality of life, which is great!
As one of the teachers selected to teach on the ATEAM Research Trial, I welcome this publication and the findings it reports, which tally with my experience of teaching the Technique to pupils from a wide range of backgrounds who predominantly find the Technique effective, not just for back pain but for helping and preventing the development of many conditions.
Alexander Technique Courses and Classes
If you would like to find out more about the Alexander Technique, you might like to join my upcoming
Introductory Alexander Technique Course, or you might prefer to dive straight in and try some individual lessons which are available on an ongoing basis.
A new paper has been published in the OUP Family Practice (23 December 2009) which reports the findings of research into patients' views and attitudes towards learning the Alexander Technique, as part of the ATEAM Trial into treatments for chronic back pain.
This research looked at the psychological aspects underlying the ATEAM Trial and the outcomes showed that patients found the Alexander Technique was 'effective' and 'made sense' as it could be used during everyday activities, it had a 'convincing rationale' and that teachers provided good support and personal advice. The Alexander Technique was generally seen to be more acceptable to patients than the exercise regime which was prescribed by the doctors.The Technique was also seen as improving the patients' quality of life, which is great!
As one of the teachers selected to teach on the ATEAM Research Trial, I welcome this publication and the findings it reports, which tally with my experience of teaching the Technique to pupils from a wide range of backgrounds who predominantly find the Technique effective, not just for back pain but for helping and preventing the development of many conditions.
Alexander Technique Courses and Classes
If you would like to find out more about the Alexander Technique, you might like to join my upcoming
Introductory Alexander Technique Course, or you might prefer to dive straight in and try some individual lessons which are available on an ongoing basis.
With Every Good Wish for the Holiday Season
Take care on the icy paths, walk freely and easily - and have a wonderful holiday!
Alexander Technique lessons will resume on 5th January.
An Introductory Alexander Technique Course starts on 11th January - more info here.
Take care on the icy paths, walk freely and easily - and have a wonderful holiday!
Alexander Technique lessons will resume on 5th January.
An Introductory Alexander Technique Course starts on 11th January - more info here.
The Richard Price Annual Memorial Lecture ~ Unitarian Church, Newington Green N16
Frankenstein's Bodies Today
The annual lecture will be given by the influential author and psychoanalyst Professor Susie Orbach. The title of the lecture links Orbach's sphere of work, the Unitarian Church and one of the famous members of its congregation, Mary Wollstonecraft - author, early feminist and mother of Mary Shelley, the author of 'Frankenstein'.
Susie Orbach co-founded the Women's Therapy Centre in North London and has written a number of books exploring issues such as gender, women's psychology and eating difficulties. Orbach is well known for her first book, 'Fat is a Feminist Issue' (1978) and her latest book is 'Bodies' (2009).
If you are interested in the Alexander Technique you are probably interested in your own body and you may find it revealing and informative to learn more about our society's attitudes towards our bodies. Susie Orbach's lecture promises to be a fascinating evening and well worth attending.
Date: 27 January 2010
Venue: Unitarian Church, Newington Green N16
Further info and tickets:
http://www.new-unity.org/events/events-calendar
Frankenstein's Bodies Today
The annual lecture will be given by the influential author and psychoanalyst Professor Susie Orbach. The title of the lecture links Orbach's sphere of work, the Unitarian Church and one of the famous members of its congregation, Mary Wollstonecraft - author, early feminist and mother of Mary Shelley, the author of 'Frankenstein'.
Susie Orbach co-founded the Women's Therapy Centre in North London and has written a number of books exploring issues such as gender, women's psychology and eating difficulties. Orbach is well known for her first book, 'Fat is a Feminist Issue' (1978) and her latest book is 'Bodies' (2009).
If you are interested in the Alexander Technique you are probably interested in your own body and you may find it revealing and informative to learn more about our society's attitudes towards our bodies. Susie Orbach's lecture promises to be a fascinating evening and well worth attending.
Date: 27 January 2010
Venue: Unitarian Church, Newington Green N16
Further info and tickets:
http://www.new-unity.org/events/events-calendar
Use the Alexander Technique While You Walk
When we have lots of rain and in particular when leaves or ice are on the ground, paths can become treacherous, as my own path gets at this time of year. It is very tempting to tighten up our legs muscles, ankles, the muscles around our hip joints and probably our neck muscles as well. Most of that tightening is done in anticipation of a possible fall and this can be tiring - and is rather a waste of energy! If we feel ourselves slipping, then bracing ourselves at that point can sometimes be helpful but we don't need to brace for long periods of time 'in case'.
This doesn't serve us. In fact, tightening our neck muscles reduces the information we can obtain about our balance, and locking our ankles and hips also interferes with our ability to fine tune our balance. I often look at young women wearing stilettos and wonder just how they manage to cope on slippery paths, because they are already thrown off balance because their hips knees, ankles and backs are pushed into unnatural positions by their high heels.
It is always helpful to think about the way we walk but it is particularly important when paths are slippery. You can help yourself by walking along with awareness and your neck freely lengthening, as you have learned in your Alexander Technique lessons, so that you obtain maximum information about your balance from the tiny movements your head will make as you move. When you also allow your feet and legs to move and support you freely, without excessive bracing, you will probably feel far more comfortable and secure.
When we have lots of rain and in particular when leaves or ice are on the ground, paths can become treacherous, as my own path gets at this time of year. It is very tempting to tighten up our legs muscles, ankles, the muscles around our hip joints and probably our neck muscles as well. Most of that tightening is done in anticipation of a possible fall and this can be tiring - and is rather a waste of energy! If we feel ourselves slipping, then bracing ourselves at that point can sometimes be helpful but we don't need to brace for long periods of time 'in case'.
This doesn't serve us. In fact, tightening our neck muscles reduces the information we can obtain about our balance, and locking our ankles and hips also interferes with our ability to fine tune our balance. I often look at young women wearing stilettos and wonder just how they manage to cope on slippery paths, because they are already thrown off balance because their hips knees, ankles and backs are pushed into unnatural positions by their high heels.
It is always helpful to think about the way we walk but it is particularly important when paths are slippery. You can help yourself by walking along with awareness and your neck freely lengthening, as you have learned in your Alexander Technique lessons, so that you obtain maximum information about your balance from the tiny movements your head will make as you move. When you also allow your feet and legs to move and support you freely, without excessive bracing, you will probably feel far more comfortable and secure.
Alexander Technique Pupils - your help is required please!
The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, STAT, wants to collect information about as many Alexander Technique pupils as possible and has created a survey which they would like people to fill in and send to them by email or FREEPOST by 15 December 2009.
STAT wants to improve the services and information that is available to all AT pupils and this survey will help them to do that. The last survey was conducted in 2006 and the 2009 survey will be compared with the previous data collected.
All returned surveys (with contact details on them) will be entered for a prize draw, for the chance to win 'The Expanding Self' by Goddard Binkley. This is one of the books recommended in my Alexander Technique Reading Lists.
If you would like to take part and have your voice heard in the Alexander Technique world, with the chance of winning en excellent AT book, you may download a survey form here:
http://www.stat.org.uk/pupilsurvey2009/
Not tried Alexander Technique Lessons yet but you would like to?
You can find out more information about individual lessons and can contact me here:
http://www.hilaryking.net/classes.htm
The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, STAT, wants to collect information about as many Alexander Technique pupils as possible and has created a survey which they would like people to fill in and send to them by email or FREEPOST by 15 December 2009.
STAT wants to improve the services and information that is available to all AT pupils and this survey will help them to do that. The last survey was conducted in 2006 and the 2009 survey will be compared with the previous data collected.
All returned surveys (with contact details on them) will be entered for a prize draw, for the chance to win 'The Expanding Self' by Goddard Binkley. This is one of the books recommended in my Alexander Technique Reading Lists.
If you would like to take part and have your voice heard in the Alexander Technique world, with the chance of winning en excellent AT book, you may download a survey form here:
http://www.stat.org.uk/pupilsurvey2009/
Not tried Alexander Technique Lessons yet but you would like to?
You can find out more information about individual lessons and can contact me here:
http://www.hilaryking.net/classes.htm
AT Friends will be having another event on 24 November.
These evenings are a good way to extend your understanding of the Alexander Technique and you will also be able to meet other AT pupils, students and teachers, who are all interested and involved with the Technique.
Penny O'Connor will be running the evening and the theme is:
The Alexander Technique: it's application in education and acting.
These evenings are a good way to extend your understanding of the Alexander Technique and you will also be able to meet other AT pupils, students and teachers, who are all interested and involved with the Technique.
Penny O'Connor will be running the evening and the theme is:
The Alexander Technique: it's application in education and acting.
Tuesday 24th
November
6:30-8:30pm,
Friends Meeting House, 8
Entrance fee: £5
(concessions £3)
Guest Speaker:
Hilary King - BA (Hons) PGDip Psychol. Dip Couns. MSTAT - Tel: 020 7254 9206
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