Marilyn Harvey had severe back pain:
In lessons with Jill my back pain soon eased off as I relaxed the tension I had been holding in my body.
Within a short time my posture changed as the alignment of my head, neck and spine improved, and I noticed I could sit in comfort, especially when using my laptop.
Jill guided me - through gentle movements - towards changing my long-standing habits which had been the cause of much of my pain.
Meredith came to a recent weekend introductory course at Claridge House, Surrey:
The weekend was fantastic and it's been a game-changer for me. I think about the AT principles taught by Jill, apply them, and I'm able to function without pain!
I encourage anyone with arthritis or joint pain to embrace the AT.
Sandra Halliday had constant back pain in pregnancy:
I can't believe that something so simple could make such a difference! After just a few lessons I can now sit, stand and lie down comfortably. Thank you.
Jason could not sit without pain:
Getting AT lessons with Jill was the best decision I ever made. I'd had severe RSI, back and hip problems because of a desk job and a broken collar bone 20 years ago.
The lessons didn't just restore a lot of function all over; they also gave me really useful ways to free myself up when walking, sitting and lying down. My fiancee saw such a change she immediately booked her own lessons! Jill is a great teacher and I recommend her to anyone and everyone.
You've made a real difference to me. The sense of free movement is priceless!
Dave Cook, guitarist, had private lessons and attended online AT relaxation sessions:
I've learned so much with you and I can honestly say that I do some Alexander thinking every single day- to my great benefit.
Harry Phelps is a triathlete:
I wanted a way of improving my performance in all three sports without further tiring myself with weights or workouts. I tried yoga and Pilates but found that, as long as I was still practicing my bad postural habits, I was just wasting energy and getting tired.
Jill taught me to find my balance in everything I do and now I can run without tiring because my breathing is easy and I’m well aligned; I feel much more relaxed in the water and have found a balance that was eluding me before, and my cycling has become effortless as I can stay free of tension for long periods. I have more freedom in everything I do and I can practice my sports more frequently, to a greater quality, so I get maximum benefit and don’t get tired or burn out.
I thoroughly recommend Alexander Technique and Jill as a teacher to anyone looking for a holistic, time efficient way to improve in sport as well as all other aspects of life.
Spencer Furze suffered five years of extreme pain from nerve damage after a fall:
I came to you having great difficulty walking, sitting and moving in general. My sleep was severely affected and my neck was causing me severe daily headaches and restricted movement. In my mid-40's I had changed from a young fit man - I was previously a builder and sportsman - into an old, disabled, frail man. It was extremely depressing. All the GPs, specialists, scans and tests had showed nothing and I only agreed to try Alexander lessons out of desperation.
Do you recall that even after my first two sessions I felt benefits? Your technique not only taught me so much about my body and how to move appropriately etc, which has been of more benefit than I ever imagined, but it brought me great relief from the excruciating pain. You helped me with all my ailments. My friends and family, who daily saw me struggling, were amazed too.
I am now as fit as I could expect to be and it does not compare with my previous state.
I will surely return for periodic reminder sessions and wish to thank you so much.
Fiona Steadman teaches Pilates:
Jill is an excellent and empathetic teacher who gently introduces the mental and physical elements of the AT as the lessons progress. Learning the AT with Jill has made me feel more balanced within myself and has improved my posture and spacial awareness.
I have started to incorporate some AT principles in my teaching of Pilates and this benefits my clients too!
John Pavitt had years of pain and stiffness in his neck:
The Alexander lessons have been fantastic. After taking weekly lessons my head mobility is now approaching normal and I no longer suffer constant nagging neck-ache. I continue to attend periodic sessions and find Jill's friendly and professional approach very helpful.
Colleen Cook had knee pain from osteo-arthritis:
Even after my first lesson with Jill the pain in my knees was less and I feel better after each one; last time I left feeling relaxed, light, calm and peaceful, like I was moving in slow motion! I also had an amazing sleep that night.
Susan White gained relief from years of back pain:
Right from the first lesson my chronic back pain improved, but many other benefits were gradual. I noticed, for example, that I was moving more smoothly, that my digestion had improved and my doctor had reduced my blood pressure medication.
After a lesson I always feel lighter, more positive and more confident. Jill and the Alexander Technique have helped me to realise that I have a choice about how I use my body. This awareness has spread to other areas of my life and I now feel more in control of myself and my life.
K A found her Alexander lessons helped her prepare for, and recover from, heart surgery:
The Technique enabled me to relax both physically and mentally before major heart surgery and during various medical procedures, and it certainly kept the need for painkillers to a minimum.
AT also helped after the operation as I knew how to move correctly, stay emotionally relaxed and to avoid stress, particularly in my hips, thighs and upper body while getting out of bed etc.
Jill is very professional and always ready to help find solutions for particular activities or problems in a friendly and positive way.
Philippe Gibson suffered spasms in his back and neck which made driving and sitting painful, but conventional treatments had not helped.
Jill's calm approach and gentle technique were the perfect way to learn how to manage the concerns and discomfort which back trouble brings.
The sessions were a delight. I became much more aware and mindful of how to help myself and avoid self-inflicted pain.
I have just returned from a family skiing holiday which I would never have contemplated prior to meeting Jill!
Mark Ingrams, a city solicitor, recovered from work-related stress:
Having Alexander lessons has made a great difference to my life. Jill is able to give a sense of how the ability to stop, think and consciously free our movement can help regain the natural balance and posture that get lost over years of bad habits. This has resulted in less stress, greater freedom and ease of movement and a much better sense of my body and posture. It helps when using a computer, standing and sitting and for sport - for me that's running, gym and golf.
The freedom and ease of movement encouraged by the Technique also affects my mood and general sense of wellbeing. Overall, the Technique is a great antidote to the mental and physical demands of modern life.
Graham Smith, ex-bodybuilder, took AT lessons because of a back injury and migraines:
I took lessons with Jill five years ago. From the first lesson I discovered that there was a lot of mental training in the AT that has been of huge benefit in the way I have viewed life since. It has helped me to overcome depression and achieve a twenty-year ambition to get my black belt in Taekwando, and it reduced the back pain and migraines so much that I'm even able to recognise the triggers and stop them.
Liza Mercereau had numbness and tingling in her legs and her posture, balance and mobility were also affected by a spinal tumour:
After 9 weeks of Alexander lessons I feel physically more relaxed and my friends have observed that I walk faster and stand taller. I feel freer when I'm outdoors because I'm less worried about falling, and even when I perform a strenuous activity I recover faster than I used to. It's great!
Jacky Cumberland regained the use of her shoulder and found a way to minimise stiffness from her computer use at work:
Following surgery my shoulder was stiff and achey, and I was having trouble with my lower back and neck from sitting at a pc for too long. The re-education from Jill really did help and I still use the techniques today - she's a great teacher.
Student Sarah Doyle overcame Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI):
Before meeting Jill I had a lot of pain in my writing wrist and intermittent pain in my shoulders and back. As a pianist I have had a lot of trouble with this for years but have always been told to just go the osteopath or take pain killlers.
Jill made me feel very at ease and by the end of the first lesson I could definitely feel a difference. I felt taller and lighter, like I was walking on air.
The Technique has made a huge difference. I'm now able to draw on both the physical methods of relaxation and the way of thinking taught by the Technique to remain relatively stress-free.
Ken Mitchell (70) took lessons to overcome arthritic pain:
I have arthritis in most of my joints, mainly my neck and spine. Since I started weekly lessons with Jill my aches and pains have reduced dramatically. At first I had reservations that something so simple could help, but the Technique really works. I would recommend anyone to try it.
Rowan Sawyer took lessons to help her symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, including weakness in her right leg and poor balance:
After attending twenty Alexander lessons with Jill I find I can walk more confidently and sustain this to the end of the day instead of feeling wobbly in the evenings. Alexander thinking gives one greater awareness and lets you stay in the present moment. My posture has improved and I feel my lessons have been of great benefit.
Jo Guiney improved her mobility and stopped needing painkillers:
I was a "low back pain sufferer" for twenty-odd years and was diagnosed with a degenerative disorder (Hereditary Motor Sensor Neuropathy) five years ago. The combination of these ailments affected my mobility and quality of life to the point where I became extremely depressed and dependent on painkillers to get through the day.
With help from my amazingly compassionate AT teacher, Jill Payne, I am beginning to improve my posture, no longer take any medication and can now walk for at least two hours instead of only 10 minutes!
I cannot recommend this technique highly enough, especially for those who feel they have tried everything else. It's worth every penny!
Trudy Kerr, jazz singer, was concerned about her voice:
After the first lesson I began to see immediate improvement in my vocal technique. What I didn't expect was how the Technique would have such a great impact on my everyday life. I found Jill's lessons to be very calming, relaxing and thought-provoking.
The Alexander Technique has made me approach life at a slower pace, I feel more centred as a person and far more confident, and in general better equipped to handle whatever life throws my way.
Junior Adewakun, a teenage footballer, took 16 weekly lessons:
Alexander work felt strange at first, but now I have more freedom in my legs, hips and ankles. I move faster and more lightly, and I don't have pain in my neck when I wake up.
Chris Adams' son has mild dyspraxia and low confidence:
My ten year old son was having a difficult time at school so I arranged for him to have weekly Alexander Technique sessions with Jill Payne. Not only is he really enjoying the sessions but they have helped him relax and find his natural posture again.
This has had a great effect on his confidence and enjoyment of school. I would thoroughly recommend Jill as a very skilled and effective teacher.
Ruth Moreland came to the AT because of ongoing back pain and a knee injury:
After no sustained results from other therapies I had a few AT lessons and the pain in my back started to lessen, and I grew much more comfortable and confident using my left knee.
My situation is now much improved. My posture is more balanced, walking is smooth and flowing and I now realise sitting and standing can be comfortable pastimes!
Jill has a very natural teaching style that instantly makes me feel calm and relaxed. At the end of each lesson I feel like a different person. I now have monthly lessons and continue to be amazed at the results.
Simon Whitehead has ME/CFS - his GP recommended Alexander lessons:
I found Jill to be very patient and clear in explaining Alexander's principles. I find now when I practice the Technique my pain and mobility problems are less impacting than before.
Cherry Douglas's computer work was giving her persistent neck trouble:
Over a series of lessons I have learned to listen to my body and now have a great toolkit to help retrain it to work more effectively.
June H is a community worker who regained her mobility:
In my first lesson with Jill I experienced total acceptance of my 71 year-old body and personality. My leg and knee had been extremely painful and I could not use public transport - my lifeline. My leg is now no longer any trouble and AT is becoming my way of life in the hands (literally!) of Jill Payne.
Matt Wood drew on his AT lessons during his treatment and recovery from abdominal cancer:
Over three months of chemotherapy and an ongoing period of recovery your tuition has helped me to accept circumstances without losing control, minimise discomfort and fatigue and 'find space'. Thank you.