Alexander Technique in Oakland with Constance Clare-Newman

Aida McGugan, Classical Dressage student, Alexander teacher

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:03:29 +0000

Your workshop was a revelation. It helped me achieve a better understanding
of years of riding instructions. Thanks to your clear and encouraging
instruction I have more ease and stability in the saddle. My horse loves my
new better balance and is happy in our work.

Elisabeth Belle, Construction Project Manager

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:09:52 +0000

I have tried any number of therapies and practices to improve the quality of my life. Of all of them, I think I have gotten the most out of the Alexander Technique. Very importantly, it has left me with an awareness of how to practice the work any moment of the day on my own. It is as essential as breathing really. I am aware that the practice can be expanded to higher levels of consciousness, as much as I am capable of tuning in. That’s a key for me…wake up and be mindful of my operations.

Stephen Colgan, Psychotherapist and Vertabrate

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:02:51 +0000

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.

Karen Rachels, MFT

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:01:18 +0000

I walked into Constance’s cozy cottage in search of better posture and
walked out with more self-confidence. Constance is a gifted healer, using
gentle touch and holding along with direct and compassionate feedback.
Through my sessions with her, my awareness of my physical self grew which in
turn enhanced my emotional awareness. I’d recommend Alexander Technique and
particularly Constance to anyone whose sense of physical or emotional self
needs support. You will be held in good hands and led by a loving heart.

A. M., Book-keeper

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:00:46 +0000

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.

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

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:59:55 +0000

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

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:59:08 +0000

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.

Anna McConnell, Actor

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:58:30 +0000

Recently after an Alexander lesson, I needed to run around the city doing errands. It ended up becoming a great AT exercise: I noticed that I habitually tensed up when I felt cold, when I had to wait in line, when I was calmly sitting in the train but just thinking about the audition on Saturday, etc. I noticed that my body/mind system indeed OVERreacts to mundane, trivial, essentially insignificant situations as if they were questions of life and death. I also noticed that it was fairly easy to release the tension, breathe and let it go, and that even in the middle of an argument it’s possible to be in a more neutral, relaxed physical space than I’d realized. Looking around me in traffic I realized how most people around me were indeed frowning, tightening up their whole bodies and staying in this physical and mental space that no longer looked natural, in a way, but rather like something painful, exhausting and unnecessary. Another thing I’ve noticed is that the more aware I am of the tension in my body, the more I breathe and let it go and return to a neutral space, the less I desire external artificial stress-reducers like cigarettes or sugar. I’m very excited about all these small discoveries and I’m looking forward to my next lesson

Rebecca Olmstead, Dressage Rider

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:57:55 +0000

I really enjoy my mounted Alexander lessons with Constance because I make big improvements in my riding. I always take away something very tangible and easy to remember - which is not always the case in the subtle and elusive sport of riding.

Megan Comfort, Daily Computer User

Constance — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:57:19 +0000

One of the most valuable aspects of my Alexander Technique lessons with Constance has been a better understanding of the mind-body connection. Through simple, direct language and the traditional Alexander hands-on approach (and aided by her excellent recommended readings), Constance helped me to realize that my habitual postures and ways of moving were ingrained in me both physically and mentally. Understanding that altering the body is as much a process of thought as it is of movement has enabled me to take pleasure in making subtle, sustained changes — and to see that even long airplane trips or daily BART rides are opportunities for growth and development.