Teacher Profiles

Tanya Shoop Tanya has been teaching the Alexander Technique locally for over eight years. She works with a great variety of people. Most come for posture or pain - typically back, neck and shoulder pain - but the two can often be linked. She has a team approach: working together to change habits, improve posture and strengthen the back. Tanya came from a busy and stressful office background and was disconnected from her body. Her first Alexander lesson back in 1993 opened up a new world, consciously thinking about how she used her body during normal day-to-day activities and not just when exercising. She realised how habitual body use could cause poor posture and aches and pains and how life could be a lot more comfortable and less effortful.

The body is an extraordinary design but can get a bit off kilter through unhelpful habits that build up over time or through injuries Replacement parts aren't easy to find and so it's a good idea to make the best of what we've got rather than waiting for things to go awry. The Alexander Technique is a very practical approach to relearn how to get the balance, freedom and ease we had as young children. It teaches people how to improve their posture, get strong backs and greater body awareness.

In this ongoing weekly class, we will look at a whole range of themes to build up an awareness and insight into the more natural use of the body and mind. I will keep to the basic principles each week for those who come on an occasional basis but will be developing themes in more depth for those who wish to come regularly.

Each week will be very participative with a mixture of discussion, activities and observation. The classes will be practical and informative, but fun and relaxed too. Over time we will explore:

• The importance of the head, neck and back relationship
• How we can move and breathe with less effort
• How to reduce muscular tension
• How to improve posture
• Coping with stress better
• Using ourselves as a whole - mind and body
• Experimenting with a new approach to everyday activities
• Pausing and how this can help catch unhelpful habits
• Finding parts in your brain and body you didn't know existed

The class is suitable for people of all ages and levels of fitness. It is aimed both at complete beginners as those with prior experience of Alexander Technique.

For more information please look at Tanya's website: www.freeyourneck.co.uk or call her on 07932 663604