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In moments of emotional conflict, when what we feel doesn’t match how we are, or when we suppress emotion to "keep it together", our bodies adapt. This inner tug-of-war is known, in psychology, as emotional dissonance.  If maintained without effective regulation,  it will livein and through our posture, breath, voice, and muscular patterns. FM Alexander developed an means whereby we can effectively regulate ourselves in these moments.  He recognized that it is impossible to divide the mind and body into two separate working parts.  He suggested that by reestablishing the conscious connection between the two our, awareness through inhibition, and direction will make it more easy for us to relate to and respond to ourselves and our surroundings. Learning to choose how to move, and providing simple direction that coordinates the mind and body so we may move with greater ease and integrity and with minimal conflict. 

While often associated with helping with physical habits like over tension, pain, or posture, Alexander principles are just as powerful when applied to our emotions. When we experience emotional dissonance, like smiling while feeling upset, or holding back tears in a professional setting, the body and mind adapt. We might tighten the jaw,  push the tongue to the roof of the mouth, hold the breath, raise the shoulders, or brace through the spine. These reactions might be necessary at the time. A useful way of covering up our true emotional state.  As we move on with our day, we forget to reconcile our state of being allowing these patterns to become unconscious patterns that affect how we breath, swallow, move, speak, and think.

Alexander technique allows us to experience how emotional dissonance effects us physically, mentally and emotionally.  In my experience, inhibition - often used as a means of suppressing in other fields - when used effectively will not actually suppress an emotion if to emote is the right thing to do.  This is because in Alexander work Inhibition is not about suppressing, it is about stopping the wrong thing so the right thing can do itself. If you are experiencing loss and  begin to cry, inhibiting will not, in fact, stop you from crying, it will allow the tears to flow freely until the emotion has completed its natural flow. Unless of course you choose otherwise. Yes, it can be a choice.

Emotional dissonance is often a product of necessity, we adapt to survive, to belong, to function. But over time it can create a pull within our use and functioning that can interfere with our ability to know who we are and how we show up. The Alexander Technique isn't something else to do. It actually is a means of undoing, helping to get out of the way of allowing yourself to be fully present.

By consciously connecting and working with the mind and body as a whole, the Alexander Technique supports not just physical ease, but emotional clarity and honesty. It helps us live with greater freedom both in movement and in meaning.

• Individual sessions: one to one sessions that provide individualized work.
• mind in motion: Fine tuning presence, with psycho-physical unity.
• Group Class: Weekly - one day or 4 four day options.
• Workshop: take a deep dive into an area of learning.