F.M. Alexander Techniek

Testimonials

Nick Barter, Principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London
"Alexander Technique has been a core element in the training of actors at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art since its foundation in 1904. Indeed, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, the distinguished actor-manager, who founded the Academy, took lessons from FM Alexander himself.
Since that time the importance of the Technique has been increasingly recognized and all students currently receive two individual lessons each week in the first year and one in the second year.
The Technique is a primary means of supporting both voice and body work in freeing the neck-head relationship, releasing habitual tension and avoiding injury for actors (and more recently stage managers)who are in an intense and often demanding training which requires them to develop flexibility of body, voice and imagination".

Ralph Allwood, Precentor & director of music, Eton College, Windsor
"I introduced Alexander Technique into Uppingham School in 1983, and to Eton College when I arrived there in 1985. All Music Scholars have at least an introduction to the Technique, and many continue with it on a weekly basis for their whole school career. It is totally accepted here that it is a most helpful adjunct to weekly musical tuition, and many a singer and instrumentalist has gained enormous benefits. Nowadays most Specialist Music Schools teach Alexander Technique. At Eton its benefits have now spread to sport and other pursuits as it has become understood, appreciated and accepted by more and more in the community. The Alexander Technique is a wonderful, and often vital, part of a musician's training!"

Patrick Maddams, managing director Royal Academy of Music, London
"The Alexander Technique can be sustaining; it is something that if learned well, can be carried along with you for the rest of your life. It gives you confidence to be who you are when you are up in front of an audience"

Monique Reget, Zuid Beijerland
Translation: "The Alexander Technique to me means a way of becoming more and more aware of patterns of muscle tension in my body. By having lessons with Wendelien I am now more able to recognize these patterns and change them. I feel more in contract with my body and it gives me the feeling of being more in control of my own physicality. In practice this has meant that my backache has more or less disappeared and I have a greater sense of freedom in movement".

Olga Chaillet, Den Haag
Translation: "Severe problems in the lower back as well as in the shoulder/neck area. Instantly, after my first lesson in the Alexander Technique, there was great improvement in my back. So much so, that I found I could walk with more ease. Recently I tend to forget my walking stick walking out of the lessons with Wendelien!"

Denis Mackay, Den Haag
"For over 12 years now I have suffered from back pain - consulting doctors, physios, chiropractors, accupuncturists, osteopaths etc at a great cost of time and money but to no avail. For just over 6 months I have been practising the Alexander Technique with Wendelien and within 3 weeks I immediately started feeling the benefit. I realised that for so long I had actively been attempting to correct my posture..... without even knowing what good posture is!
Although its difficult to concisely explain what the Alexander Technique is, it is very easy to describe the benefits: improved posture, physique, confidence, concentration and of course pain relief!"

Rob Verhoog, Delft
In 2005 I had a hernia (slipped disc) operation. I did realize that I had to learn use my self/body in a better way to avoid repetition of this problem. A friend told me about the Alexander Technique and I now have had more than 8 months lessons with Wendelien Verbeek and see and feel the improvements this has made. I am now perfectly able to sense when I use too much muscle tension that tends to create the pain, and because of improved posture and a better balance of my head on top of my neck/spine I have no more headaches which plagued me for years. The Alexander Technique has made an invaluable contribution to my health and wellbeing.

Joan Bakewell, TV presenter and journalist.
The Alexander Technique makes a real difference to my often tense and busy life. Its thoughtful approach has made me calmer, improved my concentration and given me a clearer sense of my own being. I am grateful for it!

Michael Langham, Director of the Juilliard School, New York, USA
"Alexander students rid themselves of bad postural habits and are helped to reach with their bodies and minds and enviable degree of freedom of expression."

Deirdre Dowling, musician, Royal Conservatoire, The Hague
"Having regular Alexander Technique lessons with Wendelien while completing my Masters studies on viola at the Royal Conservatoire in Den Haag was invaluable to me. I was able to recognize and change patterns of thinking and body use in my playing as well as in everyday life, make adjustments to my technique with greater ease and clarity, and deal with behaviour patterns that had become habitual but were not actually necessary. In short I learned how to learn."

Tom Hiddleston, student Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London
"The subtlety, ease and efficiency with which the Alexander Technique re-educates the body is uniquely energizing! The bodily freedom that this training releases, in stillness and in action, from singing to stage-fighting, has been one of the most valuable lessons that RADA has taught me".

Tom Noad, student Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London
"My body has become much more lively and better connected, I move with greater freedom and old tension and pains have disappeared. In addition, and very importantly for me as an actor, my voice has found its natural place and I can speak on stage with pose and ease without depending on any unnatural strain (which after all was FM Alexander's original difficulty).
I would say, that the Alexander Technique has altered me indescribably both as an actor and as a person. It has opened me up as an actor and on an everyday basis it has left me a more even-tempered, focused individual, better able to cope with whatever life throws in my path!"

Charlie Walker-Wise, student Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London
"The Alexander Technique influences the way you conduct your physical, and consequently emotional, life. The relaxation and release of tension that the Technique constantly asks you to consider becomes a more pleasurable way of living every day, not only during a session. I cannot recommend it highly enough!"