Testimonials

Barbara Materna, Ph.D., CIH. Chief, Occupational Health Branch, California

Learning the Alexander Technique from Constance has helped me in all sorts
of ways. I am more conscious of how much ease (or lack of ease) I feel in
everything I do, from sitting in meetings to walking by the Bay. Once I
learned the basics, I have worked with Constance on my most challenging
activities; these include working on the computer, playing flute, doing
gardening work, and exercising. As a musician on a wind instrument, I am
now much more aware of where tension arises in my body and how it affects my
breath or causes my fingers to move less easily. I have learned some
techniques for relaxing prior to performing, to help overcome the
nervousness that typically could take over in negative ways. Last night I
played my first concert as first chair flutist in a symphonic band (meaning
that the solos were mine); I was able to stay relaxed, play well, and
enjoyed the performance thoroughly!

Lawrence Don Lowe, Building Manager

About seven years ago I lost a disc in my lower back. An MRI showed a thin black line where my disc should be. I worked with a doctor of record and physical therapists. Everybody agreed that my mobility would be impaired for the rest of my life. My left leg would stiffen up and there was lots odd pain feelings. Sometimes I would fall down, out of nowhere, boom to the floor. My condition rates for social security and workman’s comp. In November 2005, I decided to try the Alexander Technique. After my first lesson, I was walking away from Constance’s office with my left leg relaxed and my arms swinging as they should. WOW…. WOW. This is the first thing anybody has showed me since I’ve been in the medical system that worked. Yes, the absolutely first thing that any person treating my condition, showed me that worked. I’ve taken about 6 lessons now and it is getting better all the time. I have been able to change my posture so I can continue to walk. I can sit down normally, instead of launching myself at a chair. I can get up from a chair with no pain or stiffness. I have been able to type for pages. I can stand for a long time with no problems. I am not tired after normal day-to-day activities. Now about Constance. I have seen lots of professionals and Constance Clare-Newman ranks right up there with the best. She is able to isolate an improper movement and show me the correct movement and I learn it. Frankly it is great to be in her presence. I believe if I had started the Alexander Technique with Constance five years ago, I would be very close to running up and down a flight of stairs at full speed with no pain; and I am sure I would be riding my bicycle.

Stephen Colgan, Psychotherapist and Vertabrate

Alexander lessons with Constance have affected my life more profoundly than
I could have imagined when I first began. The mundane experience of moving
through the world- sitting, walking, reaching, lifting- is enlivened and
enriched by the adventure of the Alexander Technique. I did not know that
simple movement and posture could be such a source of joy and fascination.
Constance is an intuitive, kind, patient, insightful and playful guide. I
often marvel at just how much fun a lesson can be.
An Alexander lesson is impossible to describe in words- you gotta be there.
I would unreservedly recommend the experience to anyone who has a body.

Matthew Rahaim, Classical Indian Vocalist

Before I came to Constance, I had to take breaks every thirty minutes or so when practicing intensively. She seemed to enjoy the intellectual challenge of working with an unfamiliar art form, and saw very quickly why my voice was getting tired so quickly. After studying with her for twelve weeks, I found that I could practice almost indefinitely without fatigue if I sang according to the principles she showed me. When I returned to India to study with my teacher, he was very pleased with the improvement in my voice production. I have been studying with Constance for a year and half now. Her insights have not only strengthened and enriched my voice production, but have allowed me to improvise more freely and expressively. She has helped me to see that the free, efficient use of Self includes both muscles and melody.

A. M., Bookkeeper

Constance Clare and the Alexander Technique literally saved my life. I had
an extremely painful and life threatening TMJ problem that had gotten worse
over a span of four years. I could only open my mouth as wide as a
number two pencil before major pain. I had to hold my mouth closed whenever
I yawned. Eating was an ordeal and often I’d have to stop
from pain, exhaustion and frustration. Consequently, I was starving all the
time. When it reached a point where I couldn’t drink without extreme pain, I
knew I was in big trouble and that I would have to visit a Western medical dentist.
The dentist took a few second’s look at my x-ray and said, “You will be
stuck with this for the rest of your life.” He then recommended an $800
night guard and a visit to a $4000 an hour (I kid you not) jaw specialist.

I went back to my chiropractor and she suggested checking out Alexander
Technique. A number of people recommended Constance and I went to see her
immediately. By the end of the session, I was deeply relaxed in a way I had
not felt in a long time. The unrelenting pain was gone and I could drink
and chew soft food again. The effects of Alexander lasted three days. The
second session’s effects lasted five days, and resulted in me being able to
open my mouth wide enough to brush my teeth with only a little discomfort
and no tears. By the third lesson the effects were lasting all week. The
home exercises, combined with the lessons, were kicking in. I was able to
actually eat real meals of regular food. A mile stone happened after the
sixth lesson where I was able to yawn without any pain. Another major mile
stone was after the tenth lesson. I had ordered a sandwich and it turned
out it was a large submarine version. I love subs and had not been able to
eat them for four years or more, so I decided to try it and see if my jaw
could handle it, and it did, no problem.

So what a dentist deemed incurable, Alexander Technique lessons cured within
two and a half months. Alexander teachers recommend at least ten lessons to
start and it was the right amount. It has been about one and a half years
now and my jaw is still fine.