Testimonials

Curiosity drew me to the introductory evening of Alexander Technique after watching the transformation of my friend. I eagerly offered myself as a demo during the session. With just a few gentle maneuvers by the instructor, coupled with some new insights into the structure of the body, I was able to feel an alignment that had been elusive to me, even with years of physical therapy. With the alignment came an ease of movement and an amazing feeling of expansiveness and peace. I looked into the mirror and was intrigued by tranquility and joy in my countenance.

I was introduced to the Alexander Technique while living in the Philippines. I had spent  a lot of time and money exploring many different modalities of healing for chronic neck and back pain that  I lived with  for over 20 years. Some worked, but for only a short while....then the pain returned. After 3 sessions of Alexander work I was out walking around and noticed that something was missing. Pain!!! I have not experienced that chronic pain since!! I am so very grateful.

After experiencing the amazing effects of Alexander Technique, I decided I wanted to find out the "how" of it all. How was it possible to carry pain in the body for over 20 years, then suddenly, it's gone! I am so excited to announce that I am now an Alexander student, learning through the Southwest Alliance School, the "Art" of movement in my body, plus the ability to identify misconceptions I had about "how" I was put together structurally. Thank You Robyn Avalon for creating this school!!

Once I had decided I wanted to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique, I researched different schools, and teaching methods. My experience of learning was different than what was being taught. I'm a practical person and feel all things learned, are best applied to everyday life ....otherwise, they are soon abandoned for something more exciting. I finally found the school that really fit with who I was and the path I was on. The Southwest Alexander Alliance School  takes what it teaches, and apply's the knowledge to everyday activities, such as food prep, riding horses, sitting at a computer, creating art,or simply driving a car. My kind of school.....in relationship with everyday life.

I've done a lot of healing within myself; the mental, emotional, spiritual, and   looking after my body in a more conscious way. Still there was a piece missing. How does one re-align the structure of the body that has grown to reflect the traumas/experience  of life? I became a student of the Alexander Alliance School in the Southwest and discovered the "missing piece".   By uncovering my ideas of how I was put together, I realized I had limited my choices of how to "BE" in my body. My arms, I discovered, were much longer than I first thought, and were NOT attached to my rib-cage. Strange ideas I know, but we all have them about ourselves. Since abandoning many misconceptions about myself, I discovered that this work is also very spiritual as well as physical. How amazing is that....to find a school that teaches  such a holistic, practical, approach to  learning. Thanks for existing, Southwest School!!!!!!!!!

I've been studying with Robyn at AA Southwest for almost one year.   It is always a pleasure to be working with Robyn in   her sunny, humorous and friendly way. I have learned a lot this past year about blending Alexander's principals into real life as we take our work outside the classroom to the mountains, to the ice rink, the horse stables, Pilate's studio, to musicians as well as to the kitchen, computer, sitting reading etc. She has helped me to go through positive personal change in my own body, and most amazingly, has helped me find relief from very bad knee pain, through learning better use   and understanding   of my three leg joints, together with some muscle release help.   Learning through AA Southwest offers the potential to repair many body problems, improve one's state of mind and being and eventually offer this to others.   Robyn is a very gifted teacher with a huge background and knowledge of this work and she loves to share it generously.

My perspective as a voice teacher:

"As singers and musicians, we are always in motion, and one of the most important concepts for singer's physical development is the concept of what is commonly known as "breath support."   Without a fluid and consistent breath flow, it is impossible for a singer to maintain a health, vibrant and dynamic singing tone.   The implications of the Alexander Technique for singers are far-reaching--without the complete coordination of the body, it is impossible for singers to fully realize their potential for breath flow and control.   The AT is a tool to help them realize that potential." "As a singing teacher at the university level, I am consistently applying the principals and ideas of the AT.   I have witnessed the enormous growth and ease of my own personal vocal development (much to my surprise and delight).   My own singing and performing has taken on a new dimension of expression and joy because of my immersion in this Technique.   In my vocal studio, I see students who have a much clearer understanding of the singing process through the use of body mapping; I see students whose vocal progress develops more quickly; I see students who are more confident in their abilities; and I see students who sing more easily and with deeper expression.   I am consistently amazed and delighted that the ideas and principals of Mr. Alexander's work improve upon the quality of their life through ease of movement at a very, very profound and meaningful level."

I have had quite a bit of structural challenges and back pain over the years (since my teenage years) that sometimes could be   be so intense that I could   barely drive or carry a quart of water..

In a small group setting Robyn showed   me in a few minutes how I could remember my innate structural design. I   had the experience of stepping out of my decade old habitual patterns just long enough to realize that I (and only I) am causing all my discomfort and "kinkedness", and that it is in my perfect reach of my abilities to feel aligned, supported, light, pain free, unkinked,   grounded, soft, flexible, just to mention a few...   Talk about "VOW!" I did not know that this could be within my reach. I admit I had almost resigned to "heroically " going on with my life accepting pain and discomfort as my constant companion.

But, hey, why suffer when we have options? The trouble is, we sometimes don't know what our options are and Alexander work does precisely that: remind   us of the options that are available to us. It is absolutely astounding to realize how   much our quality of life can improve once we realize   what choices we truly have. I personally am so intrigued that I have decided to become an Alexander Teacher

I have been touched to tears watching others do their Alexander work. I see people realizing that their incorrect body map limits their range of motion and causes strain and overuse. I see spirit being released when we take the self-imposed kinks out of our bodies... all of a sudden everybody just radiates their innate special beauty, we all look and move with grace   like kings and queens..

The Alexander experience has changed my life once before in Ithica, New York with Mona Salzman and recently with Robyn. It really helps my work as a gardener with shoveling   and do other physical things. like holding my head and my hands. Alexander work has given me an insight of a different   way of being in my body. I am very amazed and I hope to get more deeply into it after gardening season.

I recently attended one of Robyn’s open workshops and subsequently both a private and group class.   I have benefited enormously from what Robyn has taught me and found her approach both entertaining and very enlightening.   I am now much more aware of the areas of stress and misalignment in my body and how this affects my daily life and work.   With Robyn’s help I have begun to understand how to help myself by using the gentle but fundamental principles of the Alexander Technique.   I now feel everyone would benefit from doing the same, and would definitely recommend Robyn as a skilled and caring teacher.

The Alexander work has given me excellent insight into how my body serves me as I become more aware of the basic nature of movement. It has shown me how to better listen to and co-operate with this natural state of being through movement and relaxation. As a singer it is invaluable in allowing better breath control, strength and confidence for performance. Just in human terms it is so good to be in touch with the whole body, how muscles feel and bones strengthen, circulation improves and peace of mind follows. I would recommend this work to anyone who wants to feel completely in touch with their physical, mental and spiritual self. It's a foundation for naturally good health.

After Robyn worked on me I felt like my bones wee stacked on top of each other just right and   could stand and walk effortlessly. It felt like my muscles were released from having to do any work to hold me up.

In another session, several quick gentle and subtle manipulations of my head and neck allowed me to turn my head to the side with full range of motion and none of the usual pain. I had gotten to the point where I didn't want to put ion my car in reverse because turning my head to look behind before back up was too painful.

In another session working on my eyes, my blurred vision cleared un and stayed clear for several hours after.

  IN another sessions, raising my arms to place them on someone's shoulders became effortless and painless after working on my hip girdle.

In each sessions, with each bit of work, my breathing released and I was able to exhale fully. For a period of time after each bit, my bod continued to have spontaneous "breathing releases", exhaling more and more tension.

In the session with someone working on my feet while I stood, my body started self-adjusting my posture and alignment.

Sitting on an inflated ball after one session, my body learned to adjust my arm, hand, feet and leg positions to gain comfort, ease and balance in sitting on the wobbly ball. I learned where my center of gravity was.

IN all sessions I was amazed to find that at the outset my body was never where I thought it was. The mirror and Robyn's feedback showed me habits of leaning backward with my shoulders, which pushed my hips and head forward out of alignment . When she "stacked me up" straight, I felt like I was leaning forwards.