The Alexander Technique
You work at a computer. Before the day is over, your back and neck ache, your arm doesn’t feel quite right and your fingers are stiff.
You want to speak or sing well, or perform confidently when giving presentations, but you don’t know how to use your voice or communicate effectively with your audience.
You work out, dance, or do sports, but your body hurts long afterward. There are things you can no longer do because of pain or inflammation in your joints.
You suffer from chronic pain. Physical therapy, massage, or chiropractic sessions help, but the relief is temporary, and depends on others’ manipulation of your body.
The Alexander Technique can help you reduce pain, improve performance and move easily, efficiently, and well.
What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is a subtle yet powerful method of postural education that gives people a concrete means for replacing unhelpful habits with more efficient ones. From back pain to learning blockages; whether you are a performing artist, athlete, speak in public or work in an office, the Alexander Technique can teach you to develop more control in all your activities and move with greater freedom and ease.
In a series of practical, hands-on sessions you will not only learn to move as the body is designed to move; you will experience positive changes at the mental, emotional and relational levels.
Benefits
- Improves posture, coordination, and stability
- Reduces pain and tension
- Enhances performance in music, arts and sports
- Improves quality of executive presence and presentation skills
- Addresses breathing and vocal problems
My experience and approach
My introduction to the Alexander Technique began while I was studying vocal performance in London with Josephine Veasey. The tension in my jaw was interfering with my ability to sing as effortlessly and confidently as I desired. Even though my singing teacher was incredibly skilled, she did not have the training to help me with my jaw issues. One day she declared, “I can’t do anything with that jaw of yours. You need Alexander Technique lessons!” I took her advice and began studying under Stephen Cooper in Oxford for a couple of years and Jean-Louis Rodrigue in Los Angeles for seventeen years.
Over time, the Alexander Technique not only improved my singing; it taught me how to address other postural issues and challenges, including walking, public speaking and even childbirth. In 2016 I became a certified Alexander Technique teacher through the Alexander Educational Center in Berkeley, CA, studying under Giora Pinkas, John Baron, Robert Britton.
Currently I offer private instruction and group classes in the Alexander Technique throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Students include employees in the tech industry, musicians, athletes, clergy, and people suffering from chronic pain. I have taught classes at Google through the Community School of Music and Art’s Corporate Arts Program, Grace Cathedral, and other organizations.
Testimonials
I’ve tried a wide number of treatment modalities and providers (chiropractic, massage, ergonomics center, physical therapy, etc.) to help alleviate chronic tension and neck/upper thoracic pain. Alexander Technique is the only one that seems to try to address the root problem of posture and how you hold stress in your body. I’ve seen a lot of improvement over the last couple of quarters since I’ve been taking these classes as I build awareness.
Leo Chang, Product Technology Manager at Google
I was one of Sandra’s students in Alexander Technique at Google earlier in 2019. As a violinist, I had heard about Alexander Technique but never learned the details. Sandra’s classes were an excellent introduction into these principles, and they changed the way I play the violin. I’m much more attuned to areas such as my head, back, legs, and breath. The teachings have improved my sensitivity to touch and my control over fine and coarse movements. I’d say that these classes were a major influence in my progress in the past several months.
I’ve tried to apply these teachings to everyday life, as well. I apply more awareness to everyday motions such as opening doors, walking up the staircase, sitting on the bus, and typing at the keyboard. In doing so, they help improve overall health over time.
Steve Tjoa, Software Engineer at Google
I took the beginning Alexander Technique class at Google taught by Sandra Dager. I’ve found this class invaluable in understanding the body and how our movements affect our entire body ecosystem. I have numerous learnings from this training that I never recognized before. Two learnings have already had a direct impact on my life – increasing my vocal presence and alleviating some hip pain. I highly recommend this class.
Wendy Smith, Tech Programs & Events at Google
This class has helped me in various ways for work, including a better functioning day
Mary Streetzel, Community Strategist Lead at Google
all around, and works on my long-term goals of carrying myself differently and understanding my own mechanics.
I signed up for the course in order to help with my dancing. All of my dance instructors have tried to find ways to fix my alignment and posture, and notwithstanding their amazing talents, I have made little progress in this arena in the past ten years. After starting the classes, I’m now starting to see that change, and the impact has gone far beyond the dance floor.
One expected benefit came when I came to my Alexander Technique class a bit flustered due to a presentation I was creating for our director. Sandra was extremely empathic, asked about the issue, and changed up the session to help me relax, then worked with me on practical techniques for staying grounded and confident during the presentation. The impact was dramatic, and I received accolades from my manager and other leaders about my presentation.
Kevin Cooney, Senior Software Engineer
A year of weekly sessions with Sandra has reshaped my relationship with my body and given me greater ease and effectiveness in leading worship. Sandra is highly skilled, keenly perceptive and refreshingly forgiving I have experienced her work as nothing short of transforming.
Rev. Richard Schaper, Episcopal Priest