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Alexander Technique Case Studies
Christine Hinz Background: Christine began working with Amira Glaser, an AmSAT certified instructor of the Alexander Technique in the summer of 2006. Christine came to the Alexander Technique with a general curiosity about the benefits of incorporating the principals of the Alexander Technique into her everyday physical activities. Moreover, Christine wanted to learn how to relieve some minor but constant back pain, as well as to learn ways to avoid back pain and injury in the future given her family history of chronic back pain.
Testimonial: When I first came to Amira, I really didn’t know what to expect. I did know that I was entering into a process of better understanding my physical being and that by gaining this understanding I might enjoy a better sense of overall well-being. While this seemed like a difficult concept to grasp, from the very first session I gained surprising insights into how I perceive myself and how I actually carry myself in the world.
My main goal in learning about the Alexander Technique was to find simple ways to avoid back pain as I got older, since both my parents have suffered from both chronic and acute back pain issues at various points in their life. I had also suffered a back injury a year ago which resulted in minor yet constant lower back pain in all of my activities and which made it challenging for me to stand for long periods of time.
My first sessions with Amira focused on simple physical tasks, like sitting and standing. During this time, Amira discussed many of the principals of the Alexander Technique. After each session, I was able to come away with new realizations about my physical tendencies that might be causing my body stress, such as putting unnecessary tension on my neck when sitting, slouching into my hips and shoulders, straining my head forward, etc.
As early as my third or fourth session, Amira worked on my walking and posture. Using tablework as a way to develop a new blueprint for the mind-body connection, Amira worked with me to stand at my full height. I was amazed. It was the first time in nearly a year that I was completely relieved of my back pain. Further, this was a result of just a minor posture adjustment – one that’s easy for me to remember and which I seem to have already incorporated into my life. In fact, my friends have already noticed that my posture has improved and I’ve noticed a lot more heads turning to look at me when I walk down the streets of NYC. At an already statuesque 6’2” tall, it’s quite a rush to feel this new power within myself!
Aside from managing my back pain, perhaps the most significant result of my learning the Alexander Technique has been with my running. While I’ve been running competitively for more than fifteen years, I’ve never been very fast. In doing procedures with Amira to improve my walking, I learned that I locked my ankles and Amira showed me how to ease off my joints to improve my movement. I transferred Amira’s suggestions to my running with almost immediate results. Within a month I had taken more than 50 seconds off my race pace, and set a PR (personal record) for a four mile race – who knew there really was “Life after 40!?”
As I continue to work with Amira, I often find myself going to my session in half disbelief about the impact that the Alexander Technique has had on my life in such a short time, and half thinking there couldn’t possibly be any thing more that I could gain from another session. But each session brings on a new realization and more often than not, a small physical miracle that I could never have imagined.
Background:
After the first lesson with Amira I decided to take a series of 10 lessons. Each and every session was unique, energizing and fun. Amira's creativity and imagination kept me looking forward to the next week, where there was a new exploration around a central idea of ease and efficiency.
By the fourth week I noticed a change not only in the physical manner of my movement, but in the quality of my attitude. I found myself somewhat less judgmental of my habits and more curious as to the choices I may have towards my overall well-being. At the end of the 10 weeks I felt a change in my relationship with movement and my approach to singing. (I was better able to recognize a stimulus and inhibit my habitual response.)
I think that Amira is a gifted teacher. She is skilled in her approach and outlook and has a wonderful hands-on ability. Her knowledge of the Technique makes each lesson clear, imaginative and fun. I continue to train with her and consistently come away with a new reminder of the delight in movement and the joy of overall well-being.
Background: Kirke first took Amira’s Alexander Technique class at Gilda’s Club NYC (a not-for-profit center for individuals coping with cancer) in November 2006. She wanted to find out if the Alexander Technique could help her relieve joint pain all over her body.
I’ve had pain for three years now, and had tried various ways to at least alleviate pain every time I moved during the day and at night while lying down to get some sleep. I had long sleepless nights filled with tossing and turning. It was miserable and horrible. During that time, Amira showed the class how to get up and down from the chair. The Technique seemed strange but I continued to practice because I felt better. Now (5 months later), my pains are almost gone. I am not sure how but the more I applied the Technique I learned, I only seem to feel better. I was motivated to go back to Amira’s class in March 2007. I have learned other aspects of the Technique such as: walking, lying down, standing, and using my arms efficiently. It takes so much to undo old habits which are so much a part of me. The best and most important thing is – Amira has the most gentle touch. She also patiently explains the concepts/techniques in a way that helps me visualize what I have to do. My regret is I did not take Amira’s class sooner. I look forward to learning more about the Technique, which hopefully could help me avoid aches and pains forever. Thank you Amira, for helping us at Gilda’s Club. |
