Hilary King - Alexander Technique Teacher in North London

Hilary King teaches the Alexander Technique in Harringay (N4). She is a registered member of both the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) and of the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council, CNHC.

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Private Alexander Lessons

Hilary is a certified member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, the world's oldest and largest professional body of Alexander Technique teachers. Find out more about private Alexander Technique lessons and book a lesson here...

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Group Workshops & Courses

I regularly provide introductory Alexander Technique workshops and short courses for small groups as a way of introducing the Technique to people. These are mainly offered out of my practice in Harringay in North London, N4. Click below to view my upcoming workshops and courses...

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Alexander Technique Articles

Read the most recent articles and notes I have published on the Alexander Technique:

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What is the Alexander Technique?

Photograph of F.M. Alexander � 2002, the society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, London The Alexander Technique is a practical method of self-help, developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869 -1955), which you can learn to use for your health and well-being.

It can help you prevent and alleviate conditions associated with stress, tension and poor posture, e.g. muscle, joint and back pains. The Technique can aid rehabilitation after illness, injury or surgery and it can provide coping skills for chronic conditions. Pregnant mothers, performers and athletes learn it – anyone can benefit, including many famous people.

Discover how the Alexander Technique can help you approach everyday activities in a less strained and stressful way. You can learn to stop habitual patterns of pain, tension and general ‘mis-use’, improve your poise and performance, and increase your sense of well being.

“Change involves carrying out an activity against the habit of life”
F.M. Alexander, Aphorisms

The Alexander Technique is taught in music and drama colleges and is widely used in other areas of performance, such as dance. For more information, read my brief Introduction to the Alexander Technique.

Read more on the Alexander Technique or browse my selection of recommended books, videos and DVDs.

Information on Alexander Lessons

I have provided information on my current lesson structure for your information. I also provide regular introductory Alexander Technique workshops. If you would like to know more about my London based lessons you can read testimonials from past and present pupils.

My primary catchment areas include Harringay, Manor House, Finsbury Park, Stoke Newington, Highbury, Dalston and other areas of North London. If you wish to enquire about booking a lesson, please complete this brief enquiry form. You can also telephone me between 8.30am and 8.30pm, weekdays on 020 8341 3751. At other times you may leave a message.

Wonderfully positive influence

Before starting lessons with Hilary I was often feeling lethargic and was experiencing constant mood swings - I was unstable, and not coping well with a number of difficulties in my life. Practising the Alexander Technique has had a wonderfully positive influence on me: I have gained an emotional equilibrium that I have never experienced before; I am becoming consciously aware of different ways in which I use (and misuse) my body; and I feel empowered to stop indulging in many of my patterns of misuse, and to begin indulging in a life where I am able to deal with problems without being thrown off balance. Hilary is a calm and generous teacher, and has always given me complete confidence that I am in good hands!

Musician - Flautist

Helped me in many ways

I first met Hilary when I attended a one day course on the Alexander Technique, at the Mary Ward Centre. Finding that the Technique suited me, I continued to visit Hilary on a regular basis. Practising the Technique has helped me in many ways: I am generally more relaxed, aware of bad habits and conscious of making improvements. Perhaps the most impressive effect, has been that I can now manage my sciatica, once very severe, now hardly ever perceptible.

Retired University Librarian

An important and valuable service

Hilary King's website on the Alexander Technique provides a very helpful glossary of the terms you might encounter when reading about Alexander Technique or consulting with a practitioner. The glossary demystifies terms that are specific to Alexander technique, and also includes medical and anatomical words commonly encountered in relation to musculo-skeletal disorders. There are very few glossaries for Alexander Technique available, either on the web or in print format, so this glossary provides an important and valuable service to the public. In addition, Hilary has kindly made parts of the glossary available to RMIT University in Australia for use in a course titled Introduction to Wellness and Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

RMIT University, Department of Complementary Medicine, Australia

Marvellous teacher

I've been going to Hilary for one-to-one lessons. Hilary is a marvellous teacher and has helped me gain strength, both physically and emotionally. She is an expert Alexander teacher and also very sympathetic and sensitive to my needs and the particular problems that I bring to each session. I highly recommend her as an Alexander teacher and would never think of going to anyone else.

Writer

My sessions are important to me

As time goes by, I am becoming more conscious of my posture, the way I walk and hold my head and although this comes and goes, I remind myself more frequently to keep a free neck. So my sessions are important to me and I find them extremely relaxing, as tension is one of my main problems.

Potter and Artist

A sensitive and intelligent teacher

The Alexander Technique was my last resort in dealing with disabling headaches following a whiplash neck injury. It was effective and restorative. That was many years ago (with another teacher) and since then I have used the Technique to deal with lower back pain and stress related tension. In Hilary you have a sensitive and intelligent teacher who listens and responds to her pupil's needs. I recommend her work.

Retired Head Teacher

I’ve found Hilary’s lessons very helpful

I've found Hilary's lessons very helpful for my general well being. As a computer programmer, I spend long hours sitting in front of a screen. I have had problems with my joints, particularly my knees and hands. Computer work doesn't really help with this, however with the Alexander Technique, I've found that my joints are more relaxed. I don't get the usual aches and pains, which come from intensive keyboard use, provided I actually apply what I've learnt in the Alexander lessons. Other welcome side effects from the lessons are that I have more energy and I generally feel more relaxed and easy with my body.

Computer Programmer and Guitarist

A sensitive, conscientious and effective teacher

I started Alexander Technique lessons with Hilary during a very stressful period at work when I was experiencing low back pain and sore shoulders. Now, nine months later, I attend only once a month and have no back pain. More importantly, I feel I have learnt to use my body in a different way and one in which I have greatly decreased my chances of developing immobilising disability as I get older. I have found Hilary to be a sensitive, conscientious and effective teacher.

Journalist and Singer

I have become far more aware

Since taking Alexander lessons I have become far more aware of my posture and my body in general, which has helped in many aspects of my life - from sitting at my desk, to being a DJ, to running Marathons. Hilary was able to recommend specific directions and techniques for specific problems, which made it a lot easier to integrate the learning into everyday situations. The main challenge has been to remember to practice and to let the good form come naturally, but the more I practice the better I feel and I'm constantly learning new applications of the Technique, which keep me on my toes (not literally).

Communications Strategist and Marathon Runner

A wonderful Alexander Technique Teacher

Hilary King is a wonderful Alexander Technique Teacher. I know that, because since going to her in the New Year of 2009, she has given me a much stronger back, and has greatly reduced the level of pain which was causing me so much trouble. In fact, my progress has been so good that my Consultant (mainstream medicine) told me in May, that I don't need to go and see him again! What more can I say? Well, apart from a very big 'thank you' to Hilary for all the help she has given and continues to give me, the only other thing I want to add is a recommendation to any of you out there suffering from aches and pains to get in touch with her immediately, and let her, through her wonderful lessons, help you find your own health and happiness and a new way of life. June 2009.

Retired Medical Social Worker

I would recommend both Hilary King and the Alexander Technique

When I first visited Hilary I was in constant pain and could not even hold a cup of tea, let alone play the guitar. None of the medical professionals I visited had offered me a diagnosis, much less a cure. After my first session the pain was greatly relieved and six months later I'm playing the guitar again, albeit very carefully. I was first introduced to the Alexander Technique at music college and, to be honest, was rather sceptical about it. I now realise that, using it's techniques, I could well have avoided the RSI which has prevented me from working for almost 6 months. My lessons with Hilary have transformed the way I approach both my music and my health. Apart from enabling me to play again, it has actually improved my instrumental technique and enhanced my enjoyment of music. The Alexander Technique is a very logical, practical tool which enables one to spot potential physical problems and find solutions which can be easily incorporated into a daily routine. I would recommend both Hilary King and the Alexander Technique to anyone, but especially musicians, including those who are seemingly healthy. Quite simply, it will make you a better musician and a healthier human. Oct 2008

Composer and Guitarist

Thank you so much

Thank you so much for pointing me in the direction of the (teacher) training course, it is really eye opening to study the technique in so much detail, and I feel that my lessons with you have given me a fantastic base on which to build... Once again, thank you for all your help and inspiration. August 2007

Multi-instrumentalist and Composer

Thank you so much

Thank you so much for introducing me to the wonderful world of A/T, it has been a true highlight of 2007... and I am excited about my future with it. I feel the Technique giving me a balance and tranquillity which feels vital and growing, and that feels great. December 2007.

Student in Cultural Heritage Conservation

Her one-to-one classes [are] a huge boost to my continual well-being

I'd heard of the benefits of the Alexander Technique but it wasn't until recovering from a serious operation that I went along to one of Hilary's workshops... I consider her one-to-one classes a huge boost to my continual well-being. A/T has proved to bring me huge benefits physically and mentally and I consider it a discipline that can provide a greater understanding of the workings of the body throughout life.

Journalist

I’ve gained many useful tools

I wanted to write and thank say thank you for all your help and teaching with A/T over the last seven months. I've gained many useful tools that are now truly placed in my memory. My time learning the Technique has contributed considerably to my being able to take this next step... with confidence in my health and structure. I appreciate your part in that. Thanks... Feb 2004.

Casting Agent

Calm and assured teaching

I visited Hilary King's class, a one day Alexander Technique workshop (for assessment). This was a graceful, fluent, assured and confidently managed class by a tutor who was both knowledgeable and an enthusiastic exponent of her art. Hilary has a calm and assured teaching persona, and her oral instruction was strikingly fluent and measured.... The style is characterised by a tutor whose presence is alert, erect and graceful, and who never ceases explaining, describing, correcting and encouraging. This was a strikingly gracious and assured performance, understood to include Hilary's physical presence, physical demonstrations and explanations of the postures and exercises. Hilary adopts a very direct and engaging manner with her students, unobtrusively maintaining eye contact whenever addressing herself to the group, and managing to give each student in the class a good deal of attention... I thought Hilary particularly eloquent, providing apt and imaginative descriptions of the postures she wished her students to assume... Her gentle, flowing articulacy was both pleasurable in itself and suitable for the class she was taking. The instructions were also always notably precise. When adjusting and correcting posture, Hilary handles her students with great delicacy and feeling - she has a real 'feel' for the human body. Hilary herself has a marvellous posture which is a splendid example for students to follow. Hilary never stopped either demonstrating an exercise, correcting a posture, or advising or instructing the students. She very clearly conveys her lively and serious interest in the subject. June 1997.

College Principal - Mary Ward Centre

Professional and skilled

The Alexander Technique has provided me with a way to deal with pain, independently of pain medication, after a neck injury. Sessions with Hilary enabled me to learn techniques which I used to dispense with large doses of painkillers and replace them with an awareness of what my body required in order to be free from pain, which was at my control. I found Hilary very professional and skilled in her teaching, enabling a good understanding of how and what was to be achieved in each lesson, as part of your overall goal. I have now adopted the Alexander Technique as a part of everyday activities to help prevent further injuries. March 2010

Health Professional

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her

I've tried many different things over many years to help reduce the frequency of the headaches I've suffered from since I was a teenager. Out of all of them, acupuncture was the only thing that helped a bit until I started doing Alexander Technique lessons with Hilary. Now I rarely get headaches any more because she's helped me teach my body to relax away from the bundle of tension it had become. The main reason I took up the lessons was not because of these horrible headaches however, but because people I know had kept on noting how hunched over my posture was becoming. Although I tried to straighten myself up it was without any awareness of what I was doing with my body; I would suck my stomach in and then my head would stick out even further! And I started to feel quite uncomfortable within myself, as if my body weren't even my own any more. Working with Hilary I can now actually see my body changing over time: my back is starting to look straighter. I feel stronger and more whole in myself. Hilary has been a patient, caring and kind teacher but intuitive and clever with it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her. Getting back the feeling of being comfortable in my own body has been a great feeling. Getting rid of so many headaches was a super bonus. June 2010

Campaigner

Thank you for all that you taught me

I wanted to thank you for all that you taught me over the 9 months of my pregnancy. My weekly Alexander Technique lessons with you were so valuable and I feel contributed hugely to my healthy pregnancy and were so helpful in preparing for the birth. Things have been pretty non-stop and topsy-turvy since baby arrived, but I have managed to lie in semi-supine a couple of times (I intend to try and find more time for that) and I whisper a lot of 'Ahs'! Sept. 2011

College Lecturer

Hilary has helped my injury immensely

I arrived at Hilary's doorstep with severe RSI, Hilary has helped my injury immensely, a skilled observer Hilary has enabled me to change my posture to a healthier one, through monitoring harmful patterns of posture and movement. Hilary is very knowledgeable, gentle and professional and she understands the stressful pressures that today's workplace can have on the body. I have found that since receiving lessons from Hilary that my RSI pain has been alleviated to a point were I can work for prolonged periods without pain. Hilary has taught me to be more mindful and although I do slip back into harmful postures I find that through Hilary's invaluable training I now recognise these, and try to realign myself. I have no hesitation in recommending Hilary. Thanks Hilary April 2012.

Leisure Benefits Coordinator