"You translate everything whether physical, mental or spiritual, into muscular tension."
"The thing, then, in all education is to make the nervous system your ally and not your enemy."
"It is not the degree of "willing" or "trying", but the way in which the energy is directed, that is going to make the "willing" or "trying" effective."
"Change involves carrying out an activity against the habit of life."
"People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures."
"You can't do something you don't know, if you keep on doing what you do know."
"To know when we are wrong is all we shall ever know in this world."
"There is no such thing as a right position, but there is such a thing as a right direction."
"Control should be in process, not superimposed."
"You are doing what is called leaving yourself alone."
"You are getting away from your old preconceived ideas because you are getting away from your old habits."
"The end gaining business has got such to a point- where it is worse than a drug."
"Everyone wants to be right, but no one stops to consider if their idea of right is right."
"Prevent the things you have been doing and you are half way home."
"The most valuable knowledge we can possess is one of the use and functioning of the self."
Carole Parsons
Referred through my niece who is studying dance and who has benefitted from her sessions with Timothy, I have recently enjoyed two sessions of the Alexander Technique myself.
Having had a back problem for most of my life as well as working for many years in stressful situations around the world; I found myself in search of something to help my personal body and mind development. I had already been doing Pilates for many years and was seeing health professionals to manage my back problem - both of which were and continue to be helpful but I wanted something more holistic.
What did I expect? A series of exercises perhaps, taught to me as I learned the "wrong" things I did in life.
What did I experience? From the start a gentle, kind, meditative session of movement, realignment, breathing, and essentially just "being". After just two sessions I feel more even in my body and I can definitely breathe - well just better! I am also finding benefit in my singing abilities. Timothy is extremely non-judgemental and manages to make you feel so much positive about yourself as a whole. After each session I had the added benefit of feeling not only relaxed but also re-energised at the same time. I will certainly be returning for more.
July 2016
Irena Cashman (Dance student)
Through learning the Alexander Technique, I truly believe I have and am developing into a wiser and happier version of myself. My self-awareness relating to body and particularly posture has had an astonishing impact, allowing me to achieve simple everyday movements without tension. I feel less fatigued and can relax more through learning to let go of these unnecessary strains, which has also improved movement in my back and I experience less back pain caused by incorrect posture.
However, the biggest way in which leaning this technique has helped me is by teaching me to focus on the present, live and enjoy the moment as well as appreciate my surroundings and especially love and understand my body. For this I am extremely grateful for Timothy Gordon's guidance and knowledge.
July 2016
Veronica Fenning (BA BSW Social Worker )
I would like to heartily recommend Timothy Gordon as a teacher of Alexander Technique. It is hard for me to believe that I have only had sessions for about seven months. Until I checked my calendar I would have believed it to be much longer due to the amount of gains I have made. These gains have included much improved functioning of my body and overall health as well as a better understanding of how everything works together. Additionally I have noticed an enhanced bodily appearance here and there which has also added to my sense of well being. I feel very fortunate to be living in the area where I can access Timothy's expertise and knowing.
April 2016
Michael Adams (New Zealand)
I got one of the best emails a runner can receive from a friend of mine today. "Was that you flying along East Ridge this morning?" she asked, "you make it look so easy, just floating along effortlessly." It's true I do find running easy to do but that's because I practice the Alexander Technique as often as I can. After a lesson with you I always feel ten foot tall and invincible, and running is even more of a joy than normal. The best thing about including AT lessons in my weekly training schedule is that I haven't once felt anything that could become an injury. Actually being worried about whether or not I will be injured hasn't entered my mind since I've been doing AT. That means I can train more confidently and consistently, just like I could when I was a junior! So thanks Tim, for making an old runner feel fast again.
VALERA KOLTSLOV (New Zealand)
I always feel better after Alexander Technique. Each session I feel like we’re dipping the cloth in the dye, then it dries for a week or two and the colour fades, but with each dip it retains more and more colour. I’m like the cloth and the dye is natural posture! Positive changes in posture come hand in hand with positive changes in my experience of life.
ERIC WAGNER (San Francisco Ballet - USA)
After working with the Alexander Technique, I feel balanced and free. When I took class afterwards I found that I could use energy to balance and counter balance myself. I felt like a marionette and that my joints were free.
MERCEDES VILLANUEVA
(Soloist - Bejart Ballet - Lausanne, Switzerland)
It is difficult to admit that after so many years enjoying dance and looking at my body in the mirror, I never stopped to discover it. After two months of working with the Alexander Technique, I found a new world of knowledge open in front of me. The words harmony, conscious, involved, lightness and effect come to my mind when I think of my sensations during an Alexander lesson.
ALEXANDRA KONTRUS
(Ballerina - Wienerstadtsoper – Vienna, Austria)
It's a great feeling. You feel like you are getting taller and can see around you, as if from upstairs. You feel free. You can stand on your feet more consciously. The connection between your head, neck, back and limbs are logical and not broken. If you can see yourself in the mirror, you look like a different person.
