REAL LIFE EXAMPLES of the Benefits of the Alexander Technique:

Christine's journey to pain relief...

Throughout my teens and 20's, I regularly experienced intense, chronic, and sometimes disabling pain. I had received diagnoses for osteoarthritis of the spine, fibromyalgia, and a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos syndrome -- all before I had turned 30. I had seen 35 doctors and specialists within a 10-year period to try to relieve my pain. I tried internal medicine, acupuncture, and psychotherapy, and I had also taken many medications -- all with only fleeting relief along the way.

One evening in early June 2002, after having taken my limit of painkillers, I called Josef in desperation. He had spoken to me about the Alexander Technique before, but after everything I had been through I had very little hope that it could help me at all.

Before asking Josef for help, I hardly had a day without constant, sometimes excruciating pain. After more than fifty lessons in the Alexander Technique, I now have weeks without pain, and when symptoms arise I can usually mend my own body using this self-empowering technique. The Technique is a constant, conscious process of learning about your body and how you should use it. If you are open to learning new concepts and have trust in your instructor, you can apply the Technique throughout your lifetime to relieve pain.

Josef Weiss has unfailing dedication to the well being of his students. He is explicit in his instruction, and is a person of extraordinary insight into how human beings can work to achieve a healthy lifestyle. I would highly recommend undertaking Alexander Technique instruction from Josef.

~Christine L. Dyer

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I studied the flute as a music major in college and years later started taking piano lessons with Josef. These piano lessons were very different from my earlier flute studies. Instead of focusing heavily on technique and achievement, the main point was to understand how I could create a musical sound.

With his knowledge of the Alexander Technique, Josef taught me to pay attention to how I used my body so I could play with greater ease and feeling. Over time, I learned how to correct my posture, to think of the position of my fingers, wrists, and arms, and to keep breathing -- even through the difficult parts. I was encouraged to make each note sound its best, rather than just pushing myself to go faster. This reduced the anxiety I always had during lessons, and helped me bring greater musicality to each piece.

In the meantime, I had other problems which had started years before -- including chronic back pain, mild panic attacks, and general fatigue. Eventually, I decided to try Alexander lessons with Josef. In the many months since then, I've seen real improvement. In particular, I haven't had a single serious episode of back pain or a panic attack. As I sit at the computer, take a walk, or drive my car, I now try to focus on Alexander concepts as much as possible. Learning the Alexander Technique with Josef has made me feel stronger and more positive about my ability to help myself stay well.

~Amy Westebbe

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Josef Weiss has been our friend, philosopher and guide throughout our interactions with him. My family has learned techniques to manage their stress and to deal with situations that are either circumstantial or beyond their control with more poise than ever before, especially after Alexander sessions with Josef.

His calm and composed personality is conducive to learning the piano. He is incredibly patient as a teacher. My older son has special needs and Josef was able to handle him with sensitivity and compassion and was patient with him although his learning curve was very different from the norm. Josef invested time and energy and made the effort to teach him how to read music in addition to teaching him how to modulate his voice effectively. Most importantly Josef taught him how to be self-assured and confident about his own abilities. Kunal's development went through a transformation, his increased eye contact, confidence and ability to converse openly as opposed to before are testimony to this fact. Kunal has been receiving speech therapy for the past several years and only recently after a lot of intervention from Josef he has developed the ability to modulate his voice and sustain his breath while speaking. Above all Josef demonstrated a confidence in Kunal and had faith in his abilities. There were times when my son found the lessons too challenging but would overcome hurdles or mental blocks through Josef's unflinching support and patience.

In my experience both Maria and Josef have been exemplary role models in terms of their discipline and their ability to strive for perfection. They have been very supportive of both my children and given me a wonderful insight into the world of learning and development by sharing some of their invaluable knowledge of the Alexander technique and its potential benefits.

In conclusion, I might add that Josef has been a very committed teacher and has touched our lives in a very positive way. We wish him and his family well in their future endeavors.

~Sandhya

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As a student of Josef Weiss, my Alexander Technique sessions with him were of great help. My posture is noticeably improved, while standing and sitting. I breathe more efficiently (I breathe more often!) as I'm much more aware of my breathing pattern throughout the day. As a runner, this has helped my performance enormously. Perhaps the greatest result of Josef's teachings is that I now suffer fewer headaches, with less severity, as I have become a calmer person than I once was.

Never have I been more aware and relaxed than when participating in an individual Alexander Technique session or group workshop with him. When working with Josef, his calm voice and presence greatly reinforced the relaxation and bodily awareness I gained from his sessions. I always came away from a lesson with a strong sense of renewal.

Josef has an amazing ability to sense what is happening in one's body. He is highly observant and can detect and point out the slightest tension or movement that one displays. He can also do this in a workshop situation, while working with groups of people. This is how he creates such strong bodily self-awareness in his students. As a teacher, his knowledge and methods of instruction are invaluable.

~Jane
Newton, June 2005

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My Alexander Technik lessons with Maria have helped me tremendously. Having suffered from poor posture and, consequently, neck problems for years, she has helped me address and correct these issues. She has taught me to understand the various relationships at work within the body, to the extent that now I feel able to "help myself", so to speak. This is truly a lesson for life. I no longer suffer from neck pain and feel much more self-confident about my deportment. In addition, Maria is a pleasure to work with - she is professional, pleasant and has a good sense of humour! Any future student will be in very good hands!

~Caroline

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