The Alexander Technique

Angelique Swallow
Registered Member of:
Angelique Swallow MSTAT  

 

 
angelique swallow

I was born and raised in St Anton am Arlberg / Austria, a ski resort where most Families, including mine, either run Hotels or B&Bs. Sharing my home with a constant stream of tourists from different countries, cultures and walks of life gave me ample opportunities to learn to observe adults and their family's intricate behaviours whilst on holiday. It also provided me with an ever changing audience that I could either entertain or on occasions avoid.

As the only jobs available in my hometown involved working in the tourist industry, I decided in my early twenties to move to Paris to learn French. There, I never truly felt at home and just after 18 months tried my luck in London, and I have been here ever since.

Prior to becoming a Teacher, I worked part-time for various Architects, including Michael Hopkins and the remainder of the day spent working in a Bronze Foundry run by the Artist ‘John Somerville’ casting my own and other people’s sculptures.

During this period, I also became a practitioner of the Alexander Technique, which not just changed, but also improved my life considerably, and for that reason, I always felt that one day, when time and my finances permitted, I intended to become a teacher.

During my three years training I discovered a real passion for storytelling and since graduation I regular give talks both in the UK and Austria. I genuinely enjoy entertaining people at the same time as conveying the importance of FM Alexander’s scientific discoveries of how our habitual use in movement, thinking and behaviour governs every aspect of our daily lives.

My experience & health benefits learning and practicing the Alexander Technique:

I had my first Alexander Lesson in my mid-twenties, because of experiencing constant aches and pains two years after a shoulder operation for reoccurring dislocations from a skiing accident. All my attempts at finding a solution, which included running and other sporty activities, only resulted in aggravating the situation and within a short time, I was also in pain during the night and at rest.

I was fortunate enough to catch the last 20 minutes of a Channel 4 Documentary about FM Alexander's scientific discoveries (see above). I immediately realised that the cause of my pain was my habitual way of moving and how I held myself. I literally found a teacher the next day and have never looked back. Becoming pain free within a short time, made me a very dedicated student and eventually an extremely passionate teacher. 

Experiencing no pain whilst performing all my daily activities, from heavy lifting to sitting for hours at a computer was truly life changing and very liberating. I started to experience not only a physical, but also a deep emotional well-being, that I lost during my development from childhood into adulthood. I still today feel very privileged to have found AT, as I now can enjoy ageing gracefully and without aches and pains.

I provide private lessons, courses, workshops, and give regular public talks to share my knowledge and understanding of FM Alexander’s scientific discoveries. He was one of the great modern pioneers who discovered and understood the importance of psycho-physical wellbeing. I also created and implemented an Alexander Technique curriculum for further Education training courses.