“I am so glad to have had this opportunity to work with Rachel and invest in my precious body. I wish every child could be brought up with these principles for being in our bodies with ease, grace and lightness. I hope to at least set an example with my work as a teacher with children and young people.”
Emily Grandis – Primary School Teacher
“After my lessons with Rachel, I feel relaxed, tall and strong.”
M.A. Age 14, Stroud
“I admire Rachel for her calm gentleness and her understanding of young people.”
N.C. Mother, Stroud – who’s daughter is having lessons
It is a delight to see the beautiful poise and flexibility that young children display. They are not thinking about their posture; their ease and poise is completely natural. Unfortunately, as we grow up we overlay our innate poise with layers of compression and tension which can later lead to aches and pains and postural issues.
We copy those around us and end up losing touch with the natural good body use that we were born with. Today’s youngsters are under increasing pressures and postural challenges with the rise of smart phones, tablets and computer based learning and games.
Two examples of looking down at laptops
The little girl in the image maintains her poise whilst looking down at the laptop whereas the little boy has already started to drop his head down from the base of his neck – one of the classic postural patterns that can cause untold neck and back pain. As children spend time slumped at their desks, poking their heads to screens and hand-held devices, fixing their breathing and tensing their bodies, the incidence of musculo-skeletal issues is increasing in our youngsters.
Alexander lessons for teenagers
Compressing her neck whilst texting could lead to serious neck issues
Lessons are useful not just for children but also for teenagers when growth spurts, hormonal changes, peer pressure and a roller coaster of emotions take their toll. Learn to open out hunched postures, release tensions as exam stress builds and come over with confidence in college interviews.
A picture says a thousand words… heavy handbags, laptops and school bags can lead to musculoskeletal injuries
Young peoples’ minds and bodies are more flexible than those of adults and they have had less time to develop unwanted habit patterns. As a result they are often very quick to learn the Alexander Technique which can help them in years to come. Once learnt, it is a skill for life.
I aim to make lessons enjoyable, calming, relevant and friendly. We will cover a range of activities from:
- sitting at a desk and in a comfortable chair
- bending
- walking
- drawing
- reading
- writing
- using a laptop or tablet
- texting
- relaxing
If you have a particular hobby or interest such as playing an instrument or a sport, I will encourage you to explore these activities whilst applying the Alexander Technique.
I have an advanced CRB status. Parents are encouraged to take part in lessons if they wish to.
“Rachel’s lessons are engaging, stimulating and useful in everyday life”.
T. M. Age 16, Stroud
“The lessons have helped me with my back pain and posture and the change has been incredible. I have learnt how to sit, stand, walk, write and bend in a way that is better for my back. I’ve learnt coping strategies to ease tension.”
Finn Western, Cheltenham, age 18
For further details about lessons for your child contact us
