Laraine Feldman
Alexander Technique
Laraine Feldman MSTAT
Laraine Feldman is a qualified AT teacher and a member of the Society of Teachers of Alexander Technique (STAT).
I started teaching Alexander Technique in l996 following many years of chronic back pain caused by an injury at work. I could never understand why the excellent treatment I received didn't last. When I finally stumbled across the Technique I found out that I was undoing all the good myself.
Alexander Technique is about change. It's something you do for yourself. It's about posture and pain - about habit and how you react to life.
I work with you to discover your most common postural habits, to make you aware of them so you can begin to change. This is a process - habits tend to be well established. It's not a "don't do that and you will be ok" or treatment.
It's a bit like driving lessons. You don't know how many you will need - some people pass their tests after five, most take longer. If you drive your car well it will last longer and you will have an smoother journey. If you learn to use your body efficiently and to recognise your habits, you will have a better journey through life.
Having worked in offices for many years I am very familiar with problems caused by bad desk-based habits. People don't realise the harm they are doing to themselves by repeatedly bending, leaning, slouching and general bad use. I can show you to look after yourself better, at work and at home.
Around 20 per cent of children and teenagers are now regularly suffering back, head and neck pain. This is usually due to their bad habits. The National Back Pain Association estimated that 93 million working days a year were lost due to back problems.
What happens during a lesson?
You don't undress - just take off your coat and shoes.
There is some touching, to guide you, but no manipulation or massage.
About me
I started teaching Alexander Technique in l996 following many years of chronic back pain caused by an injury at work. I could never understand why the excellent treatment I received didn't last. When I finally stumbled across the Technique I discovered that I was undoing all the good myself.
Having worked in offices for many years I am very familiar with problems caused/aggravated by bad desk-based habits. People don't realise the harm they are doing to themselves by repeatedly bending, leaning, slouching and general bad use. I can show you to look after yourself better, at work and at home.
Is age a factor?
Around 20 per cent of children and teenagers are now regularly suffering back, head and neck pain. This is usually due to their bad habits. The National Back Pain Association estimated that 93 million working days a year were lost due to back problems.
AT is not age dependent - one pupil was over 90 when she started lessons.
Clinic hours
One-to-one lessons can be arranged for day, evening or Saturday morning, by appointment. The first lesson is 60 minutes, subsequent lessons are around 45 minutes.
Testimonials
(Chronic shoulder pain for seven years, consultant referral).
I am now pain free. My posture has improved and I feel better generally. I am less tired and much more aware of what I am doing, and able to take control of my movements.
(Neck, shoulder and posturally related pain).
I have really benefited from lessons with Laraine. AT helps me combat poor postural habits picked up through years of sitting at a computer.
(Long term chronic knee injury and associated hip and back problems).
I feel much better, the pain is considerably less and I feel about two inches taller.
(Chronic back and shoulder condition, consultant referral).
From the start Laraine demonstrated a willingness to be flexible. She agreed to my lessons being conducted from a sitting position, which was not only more comfortable but also helped me feel that I was participating fully in the lessons. My back and shoulder problems (slipped disc and trapped nerve) have eased considerably. Laraine has taught me that change comes about gradually and there are no right and wrong positions, so I'm not doomed to failure. Most importantly I now catch myself thinking about the way I stand, sit and lie.
