Hilary King's Blog

Alexander Technique ~ Holiday Dates

2009-04-09T16:26:36Z

Dates for your diary

Please note that Hilary King will not be teaching in Stoke Newington

Friday 19th June - Monday 13th July

Emergency Contact Phone Numbers - ICE

2009-04-04T10:31:43Z

ICE (In Case of Emergency)

This is not about the Alexander Technique but is an idea that all of us would be wise to take note of and act upon.

The ambulance service is promoting the ICE ( In Case of Emergency ) campaign.

ICE was conceived by a paramedic, who realised that in an emergency he usually had access to a patient's mobile phone but had no idea which people in the phone's address book would be the ones he needed to contact.

The paramedic realised that it would be good if there was a nationally recognised scheme set up, which the emergency services could use to contact next of kin and other appropriate people quickly, so he created ICE (In Case of Emergency).

He proposed that we should all list our important contact names under ICE in our mobiles. If there's more than one contact, just list them as ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

It's a really simple idea to implement and could perhaps save lives and reduce distress, so find your mobile and enter your nearest and dearest under ICE, now.

For further info visit BBC NEWS ICE CAMPAIGN - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4746789.stm

Alexander Technique Workshop for Women ~ 8 March '09

2009-02-04T09:24:15Z

International Women's Day 8 March '09
Introductory Alexander Technique Workshop for Women

I will be running a beginner's Alexander Technique workshop, just for women, 10.00am - 12.30pm Sunday morning, 8 March '09.

Earlybird fee is available before 20 February.

Participants will also be able to have a reduced rate follow up private lesson.

Further information here

Or phone Hilary on: 020 7254 9206

Frost and Ice

2009-02-04T08:38:29Z

With wintry frost and ice here, it's time to take care on pavements. If you are afraid of falling, it is tempting to tense up all over but remember, you will have more sense of your balance and more control over your movements if you refuse to tighten but walk in an alert and free manner - a good time to use all you have learned in your Alexander lessons.

It's also time to keep warm, in order to look after our health. Perhaps we can do our bit for the environment and start off by wearing an extra layer of clothing, rather than turn the heating up without thinking.

Wildlife needs even more help from us at this time of year. I was watching a blackbird trying to drink in the birdbath, which had frozen. He kept pecking at the ice but it was too solid. The blackbird watched as I went out and poured water into the birdbath and seconds later he was happily having a drink and a bath. My pond has also frozen over, so it is necessary to gently create some openings in the ice, so the frogs that are hibernating there will be able to breathe.

Alexander Technique: Cost Effective Option for Chronic Back Pain

2008-12-23T16:59:21Z

ATEAM Trial

There's more good news for people suffering with back pain. A new article was published in the BMJ on 11 Dec '08, which gives an economic analysis of the research into different treatments for back pain, including the Alexander Technique, that was published in the BMJ Aug '08.

The findings of the ATEAM Trial show that massage offered little long term benefit for patients with simple back pain and that a Doctor's exercise prescription, on its own, resulted in just a moderate effect on disability scores. However, the Alexander Technique performed better, on all the measured outcomes, than either massage or exercise.

If you would like more information about this research, you may read my article on the topic here: ATEAM Trial into Treatments for Chronic and Recurrent Back Pain

Economic Analysis of the ATEAM Trial

The Economic Analysis of the ATEAM research results has now shown that just six Alexander Technique lessons followed by exercise was 'the most effective, and cost effective option'. The paper goes on to suggest that this option is one that could possibly be used by the NHS in Primary Care, for patients with chronic back pain.

Meanwhile the Alexander Technique is, of course, still available as private lessons.

It is important to remember that not all back pain can be resolved in just six Alexander Technique lessons plus some exercise. However, it is encouraging to see that the highest significant long term improvement in disability scores plus an improvement the patient's quality of life, can be seen - and that this also offers a cost effective option for chronic back pain sufferers.

If you would like to read the full economic analysis of the ATEAM Trial visit: BMJ 2008;337:a2656

Alexander Technique Short Course

2008-12-02T17:16:56Z

I will be running an Introductory Alexander Technique Course for beginners, on three Saturday mornings in the New Year.

Come and find out about the Alexander Technique and celebrate the birthday of Frederick Matthias Alexander 140 years ago.

This is a Small Group Course with limited places so you will need to book in advance. An Earlybird Fee is available if you book before January 5th.

Participants will also be able to have a reduced rate individual follow-up lesson at £25, so that you can gain a real sense of what lessons are like.

Date: January 17th - 31st.

Further Information and Application Form here.

Alexander Technique Holiday Dates for your Diary

2008-11-09T09:45:00Z

Holiday Dates

Please note that I will be not be teaching the Alexander Technique as from from:

December 3rd

The new term will start:

January 5th

If you would like a Course Application Form, are interested in having individual Alexander Technique lessons, or would like more information, contact me here and I will respond as soon as I am able to do so.

Hilary King MSTAT teaches the Alexander Technique in Stoke Newington, London N16

Alexander Technique Lessons - Autumn Term

2008-09-07T16:27:50Z

As part of International Alexander Awareness Week 2008, I will be running another 3 session Introductory Course for a small group, starting on 11th October. Come and discover how the Alexander Technique can offer you an end to back pain, as well as increasing your quality of life and presentation skills.

Hilary was one of the teachers selected to teach the Alexander Technique on the ATEAM Research Trial into chronic and recurrent low back pain. Hilary is also a professional affiliate member of BackCare and BAPAM.

Dates: Saturday mornings 11th, 18th and 25th October

Venue: Aden Grove, Newington Green N16 - full details on request

Course Fee: £50

International Alexander Awareness Week Special Offer ~ 1:1 Follow-up Lesson at just £20.

This course is now full. For further information on my next Short Intro Course in January and to request an Application Form visit here.

If you would like information, would like to book some individual Alexander Technique lessons and classes in Stoke Newington, please phone me:

+44 (0) 20 7254 9206

IAAW Discount Vouchers

As one of the participating teachers, I will also be offering one reduced rate lesson per person, upon presentation of an IAAW Discount Voucher, valid until the end of October '08.

You may also contact me here.

BMJ publishes ATEAM Research showing 1:1 Alexander Technique lessons help reduce low back pain

2008-08-19T20:57:19Z

There is good news for people interested in the Alexander Technique and for anyone who is suffering from chronic back pain.

The BMJ Online has just published the results of the ATEAM Research Trial which shows that people who had 1:1 lessons in the Alexander Technique, with a registered teacher, experienced a significant reduction in levels of back pain along with an improvement in the quality of their life. Importantly, these results were sustained one year later.

It is likely that if people maintain their improved use and application of the Technique, the results could be sustained for even longer but it has not been possible to clinically evaluate this as yet.

Recurrent back pain is extremely common and is one of the main causes of disability and absence from work in developed societies. However, until now there has been little clinical evidence to show which treatments may help people and the ATEAM trial now shows that supervised exercise can have some benefit, massage has less but that the Alexander Technique offers the greatest long term benefit for people with non-specific back pain.

As one of the registered A/T teachers selected to teach on the ATEAM Research Trial, I am particularly pleased that the results show so clearly that learning the Alexander Technique can be of great benefit for people with low back pain. Alexander teachers have known for a long time that the Technique can help people with chronic back pain and it is good that there is now some statistically significant evidence to this effect that we can put before the scientific and medical community.

If you would like more information about the Technique or individual Alexander Technique Lessons in Stoke Newington N16, you may contact me here.

You may also phone me:
+44 (0) 20 7254 9206

Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain BMJ 2008;337:a884

Alexander Technique Short Course

2008-08-19T09:00:15Z

My next Introductory Alexander Technique Course will commence on Saturday 13th September

This Course is for people who have little or no experience of the Alexander Technique and runs over 3 Saturday mornings:

13th; 20th; 27th September.

Come and discover how the Alexander Technique can help you reduce back pain, RSI and stress related problems, plus enhance your performance skills and feel good about being in your body.

This Small Group Course, with a maximum of 6 participants, offers beginners the chance to find out about the Alexander Technique in a friendly environment in which you can experience some individual hands-on work with Hilary King, an experienced teacher, who will be assisted by a senior student from LCATT.

Participants will be able to have a half price individual follow-up lesson. This format allows you to gain a sense of what Alexander Technique lessons are like and be more able to decide whether or not you would like to continue with further lessons.

Small Group so please Book in Advance to Reserve a Place

Further Information and Application Form

You may also phone me:
+44 (0) 20 7254 9206

If you would like to join a course but cannot manage this one, there will be another Short Course starting on October 12th as part of International Alexander Awareness Week.

Individual Alexander Technique lessons are available on an ongoing basis.

The Big Draw Launch at 'Skeletons' Exhibition

2008-08-06T16:52:09Z

There will be a free 3 day interactive festival, to launch The Big Draw 2008, at the Wellcome Trust's exhibition 'Skeletons: London's Buried Bones' .

You can join leading artists and scientists who will be drawing, studying and reflecting on the skeletons, examining what it means to be human. the programme is packed full with numerous performances, workshops and talks on topics such as art and the brain, bodymaps, cartoons....

If you are interested in the Alexander Technique, then you are likely to be interested in finding out more about how your body works - how well do you understand your own mind and body? This is a chance to take a close-up look at ourselves in a wonderfully creative way.

Enjoy the event - it sounds fascinating and fun!

Venue: Wellcome Trust, Euston Road

Date: 26-28 September

Free

http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitionsandevents/events/The-Big-Draw-2008-National-Launch/index.htm

'Skeletons' Exhibition at the Wellcome Collection July '08

2008-07-23T18:35:44Z

'Skeletons - London's Buried Bones'

If you are interested in how your body works plus how your posture, the way you use yourself and live your life, can leave it's mark on the structure of your bones, you may want to visit the              'Skeletons: London's Buried Bones' Exhibition that has just opened at the Wellcome Collection.

The skeletons on display are from the Museum of London's collection of 17,000 skeletons that have come from people who lived and worked in the London area over the last 16 centuries.

This exhibition looks at the events and health hazards of the day, that affected people's lives and their skeletons. There will also be a day of activities for all ages and a public debate about why the dead are useful to study.

Perhaps seeing the wear and tear on all those bones, may encourage us to be more aware of our own body use, right now, so that we change some of our unhelpful and even damaging habits and learn to do as much as possible to look after our own skeletons!

Venue: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road

Date:   23 July - 28 September

Info:    http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitionsandevents/exhibitions/skeletons/index.htm

Match Day Car Parking in Zone M ~ from August 2008

2008-06-24T15:17:06Z

The revised date for introducing the new Match Day Parking Scheme is August 2008

Please note there will be new parking regulations for Zone M. Saturday afternoons will be free parking whilst on weekdays, permits are only required until 5.30 each evening.

CPZ times for Zone M:

Monday - Friday ~ 8.30 am - 5.30 pm
Saturdays    ~ 8.30 am - 1.30 pm

Arsenal Match Days:

Weekdays    ~ 5.30 pm - 8.30 pm
Saturdays          ~ 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm
Sun/Bank Hols. ~ 12 noon - 4.30 pm

Please check out Arsenal Home Match dates, before you park, particularly if you are attending an Alexander Technique Course or Workshop at the weekend.

Look out for Boundary Signs as you enter the area, as these will show the next match dates, a couple of days in advance. You can also visit www.arsenal.com for fixture dates.

Of course, you can always help the environment and leave your car at home.......

Alexander Technique You Tube Channel

2008-06-17T11:48:14Z

STAT has just announced the launch of the STAT YouTube Channel.

This interesting new resource is designed to let people find out more about the Alexander Technique in an easily accessible manner. So far, 28 film clips have been posted, which illustrate different teaching styles and approaches to the Technique. These have been produced and edited by David Reed, MSTAT.

You can even see an extract from a film of F M Alexander himself as he taught Margaret Goldie, who in her turn taught the Alexander Technique for over 60 years. There are also films showing some 'first generation' and senior Alexander Teachers, who demonstrate aspects of the Technique plus their own styles of teaching and running workshops.

It is hoped that there will be an increasing number of videos on the site, from a wide variety of sources and STAT would welcome films that show A/T teachers in action.

This is a great way to extend your understanding of the Alexander Technique and it brings the work into a lively focus. Try it!

http://uk.youtube.com/user/TheSTATChannel

Alexander Technique Congress

2008-06-05T08:38:43Z

Dates for your Diary

Please note that I will not be teaching the Alexander Technique in Stoke Newington from 9th - 16th August, as I will be attending the 8th International Congress of the F M Alexander Technique in Lugano, Switzerland.

This should be an enriching experience, as the Congress offers all teachers of the Alexander Technique a chance to exchange work and ideas with other Alexander teachers from around the world. We may have different styles of teaching but we have all developed our work within the framework of F M Alexander's theories and teaching practice.