Maureen VanDerStad, horse rider, performer, and teacher
In the space of two years I injured both of my knees. My knees healed by medical standards, but felt vulnerable so I tried to guard them. The following year I was diagnosed with bone spurs on my right foot and a year later on my left foot. I dealt with intolerable pain every day. My doctor said surgery or orthotics was rarely successful in my case. What a prognosis! I began Alexander lessons in May with Elizabeth Huebner to help my horseback riding. I never mentioned the painful bone spurs. Within three weeks my heels were totally pain free. Amazing especially since this was a “side effect,” so to speak. I came to Alexander lessons as a way to increase my body awareness for horseback riding. Four months into my lessons my knee issues were gone. My riding has improved and the additional benefits I experienced were unexpected and wonderful.
Kristen McCarty, singer
I attended your workshop at UConn and I wanted you to know how much your class changed my voice. It was unbelievable. I went to the practice room on Friday and I sounded like a different person. My voice was open and free. It was beautiful. I have always had problems with tightening which created a pinched sound. Your class changed this in one hour.
Mary Hildbrand Nagler, puppeteer
I have discovered that moving into the areas you have shown us has helped me relieve the pain I have had for nearly two years. By lengthening and moving into a more erect and balanced form, relief is found and I dare say, perhaps a healing. This has been great! I am getting stronger with less discomfort along the way. I try to move into what comes naturally and it is less of a struggle and more of a cooperation with myself. I move toward the natural state my body wants to be in.
I am ever amazed at how your hands can get my body to move into a different configuration, and relax, without a conscious act on my part! I feel often as if I am listening in on a conversation. If I try to help, it often hinders the operation, so I consciously step back and try to let go as I continue to listen.
Charles Dyson, competitive runner
I have been racing for many years and have had a measure of success for many of those years. I set several varsity crosscountry course records, won the Manchester Road Race as a senior and set occasional age-group records in masters competitions. I don’t consider myself a natural runner so I’ve tried to run smart. The Alexander Technique has helped me do that. The improvements include better form and more strength throughout the race. Unlike in the past, I have been free of significant injuries. I attribute this to my improved balance from studying the Alexander Technique.
Robert Reichert, lawyer
I have made a big change in my body image. I used to think of my back as pieces of fragile bone. Now my back feels strong and solid like a beam and I feel at least one inch taller. It’s nice to feel my body’s strength and not its fragility.
In the gym I say to myself “lengthen and widen,” and it helps me to “resist the downward pull” of the weights. I can feel myself standing and moving in ways that are both natural and correct.
Heddy Lahmann, actor
Our work this semester has been so nonstressful and it has pushed me so far and changed me enormously. I have learned things about myself I will take with me for the rest of my days. As I continue to make the changes consistent, my body is becoming more available to express the me who has been buried underneath the old tensions.
Chris Hirsh, actor
The Alexander Technique has increased my ability to base my character work in my center, which is the most valuable place to begin. I am connecting to my breathing on a much deeper level. The AT training has greatly increased my sense of ease and balance onstage and allows me to “do” less.
I have been having great success with “what would it be like if this tension wasn’t there?” It releases my muscles well and is not a command or a requirement. I was able to release one shoulder fully last night and the size difference from side to side was remarkable.
I think I am starting to uncover yet another layer of when I am actually doing instead of allowing. It is more muscular and quicker when I am forcing it. More like liquid when it is allowed to happen.
Nick Dillenburg, actor
This all gets to the core of what I am working on as an actor, which is to “do” without trying so hard. The audience doesn’t want to se me working hard, they want to connect. Can I play and be happy more onstage? Can I allow myself to be more vulnerable? Alexander is one of the best avenues to opening up for me.
I can breathe again! The work during my individual session was extremely helpful to find that deeper breathing. I am starting to realize a deeper change within myself and it is reflected in my body.
