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Hope Mell |
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What the Alexander Technique can do for you...
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Staying limber
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Healing is making whole - restoring a state of balance. Stress is a primary or aggravating cause of most illness, and frequently obstructs the body's efforts to return to a state of health. I have long been aware of the body's ability to heal, through observing myself and others. The game is to get your mind out of the way and let your body do what it knows how to do. Our physical instrument, the human body, performs best at a level of highly refined neuromuscular balance. The Alexander Technique and Hatha Yoga are wonderful complements to each other. The Alexander Technique is a means of creating and maintaining balance, of rediscovering strength by reducing effort and increasing awareness. It is not a system of exercise, as exercises may reinforce habits at the root of the disorder. Rather, the Technique works indirectly: eliminating the psycho-physical interferences, releasing chronically held tension, re-establishing tone in the musculature, and allowing the body's own coordination and intelligence to operate.
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The Alexander Technique helps us to use the appropriate amount of effort
for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your
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Who developed the Alexander Technique? Who should study the Technique?
What do others think about
the Alexander Technique? An Alexander class, with both movement and tablework, is usually 90 minutes. During this time, we focus on moving with balance and freedom. While on the table for 50 to 60 minutes, your body will be able to completely relax, regaining its natural balance. You will be able to sense your Primary Control, and play with inhibiting your habitual responses. In one session, thinking becomes clearer, feelings more accessible and movement more pleasurable. After the tablework, there is additional movement guidance. You will gain greater awareness of how to move efficiently while learning to free unnecessary tensions.
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My Journey I was first introduced to the Alexander Technique in 1979. After five classes I was pain-free from the migraine headaches I had experienced for fifteen years. To say that the Alexander Technique has changed my life is an understatement. It is the foundation for the rest of my activities. It is with a grateful heart that I share this gift, of Exploring Alexander's Discoveries. Some people come for classes once a year, during their yearly visit to the Ashram. Some come once a week for an extended period of time. The rule is to suit yourself. I was five years old when first discovered my sensitivities in the healing arts. My mother had headaches, sometimes lasting for days. I would use touch, massage, cool cloths, and flower petals, and when I was finished she would say the pain is gone. I would also notice her skin color, her walk and her eyes, yes, she was indeed feeling better.
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Walking the |
In 1968 I was living in Brooklyn, New York and looking for a Yoga class. A friend suggested that I come with her one night. The class was at 500 West End Avenue, home of the first Integral Yoga Institute. As I lay on the carpet, a beautiful feeling of peace came over me, and I knew I was home. A few weeks later, I was invited to hear "The Swami" speak. "The Swami" was H.H. Sri Swami Satchidananda. I had never seen or heard anyone like Him. It was clear to me that He was speaking truth, even though I could not understand some of the words. I was transfixed. I had met my Teacher, the one who would guide me in the way to live and serve. Every element of my life was changing, and I was learning and growing in ways I had never dreamed of. I took every class offered in Integral Yoga, and began attending retreats. In 1973 I received Mantra Initiation from Sri Gurudev (Guru in Sanskrit, means remover of darkness.) I then began serving as a staffing member on retreats. Soon, it was time for my training to teach Integral Hatha Yoga. In 1974 I received my certification. I was filled with joy, my senses were becoming sharper, eyes keener and inner life deeper. Sri Gurudev was speaking each Friday night at the Universalist Church, on Central Park West. He was so available, so willing to be constantly serving, answering questions until late into the night and allow anyone who wished, to receive Darshan.
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In 1979, I had my first of many Alexander Technique classes with June Ekman in New York City. I knew this was going to help me in many areas of my life. I could sense subtleties in movement that were previously unnoticed. My Hatha Yoga practice deepened and my body was freer. June organized several workshops over the next few years, led by Marjorie Barstow, a Master Teacher, from Lincoln, Nebraska. I was invited to these intimate gatherings. Marj, as we called her, had been in F.M. Alexander's first training class in London, in l934. She then went on to work as his assistant for eleven years. She was instrumental in bringing the Alexander Technique to the United States. Meeting Marj proved to be another important moment for me. During one workshop, various people were talking about a summer study. She very casually said, "Why don't you come. People come in June and we "Explore Alexander's Discoveries." It was simple: I was going to Lincoln.
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 Marj, using |
While in Lincoln, I had the great privilege to study with Marj every weekday for the month of June. That first year, I met Martha and Bruce Fertman, Directors of The Alexander Alliance in Philadelphia. While in Lincoln, I decided I would begin my Alexander Technique training in Philadelphia. In 1988, I completed the 1600 hour training course and was certified to teach. In 1987 I started spending more time in Yogaville, the community
that surrounds Satchidananda Ashram, in Buckingham, Virginia. In
l99l, I moved and I am delighted to be living in this community. I would
love to meet you and Explore Hatha Yoga & Alexander's Discoveries
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Schedule an Appointment If you would like to schedule an appointment, contact me by email or phone. Ninety minute classes are recommended. Our time will be designed to address your specific needs. You may contact me at 434-969-1721 |
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"What I have received through the work with Hope Mell has
transformed my life. In my first ever session a whole new world opened
for me for which I am truly grateful. Her sensitivity in her work go beyond
the physical level, which makes each session so unique and a truly inspirational
experience. I continue to work with Hope every time I am in the US." "Thank you so much for the very amazing session. I have been
surprised and pleased to find how much is still with me. I can really
feel a difference. I did sleep a little differently, this is a much lighter
feeling. Don't know what was Alexander and whatever else you were doing,
but whatever it was, I really do thank you. It is a great gift." "I have found my work with Hope to be a powerful and profound
experience. As a Yoga Practitioner for many years, Hope has shown me how
to deepen the experience of my practice and bring more awareness to my
everyday life. In numerous ways I feel healing taking place through Hope's
gentleness, perception and expertise." "After one session my body was in complete alignment, and
Hope showed me how to maintain that alignment. I was so relaxed that I
'felt perfect.' A truly wonderful experience." "I started Alexander Technique classes with Hope in order
to help alleviate severe pain from a debilitating lower back and hip condition.
The results were remarkable. I am convinced that it was Hope's love and
compassion in addition to her most expert Alexander classes that reduced
and eventually eliminated my painful condition. I always felt so full
of Light and about 3 inches taller after a class. I wholeheartedly recommend
Hope's Alexander Technique classes to anyone in pain. (Also to NBA players
who want to be taller.)" "After surgery left me with an arm that didn't work right, Hope worked with me weekly. With her guidance and help, I regained full use of my arm. I am pain free, which I wasn't when I started the classes and there is no lymphederma, a common problem with others who have similar surgeries. Learning the Alexander Technique also helped my body return to symmetry and balance. I am more aware of my posture during my daily activities and I use this awareness to make adjustments as I move through my day. I have only good things to say about my experience with Hope and the Alexander classes I had with her." ---S.N. "On the day you presented your Alexander Technique - I had
the experience of my body changing ever so briefly, following your guidance.
The effects of that one session continue to this day as awareness of proper
alignment. Be like a snake, lead with your head." "I will write a few things that stand out for me about our
sessions. May my words bring you 10 fold the blessings you have brought
me! Each time I return to Yogaville, I make it a priority to visit Hope
Mell for an Alexander session. Her spirituality and her love of Yoga bring
a special quality to her work. Hope has helped me discover things about
my yoga practice, and my walk and posture that I use in my own alignment
as well as share with my students. My favorite part of the session is
the table work. Again, there is a very strong spiritual component here
and the experience is beyond description. I never want the session to
end and I always leave with a new awareness of length and space in my
body. Hope is a gifted listener. She has supported me thru some very profound
personal experiences at Yogaville. She is an angel in my life." "I have congenital Cerebral Palsy, in addition, I have some vertebrae disintegration in the lower back. I was in constant pain. My right hip was dislocated, being held in place by muscles. My right side was much weaker than my left. My limbs on the right were quite a bit smaller. I had a lot of spasticity throughout my extremities. My hips were twisted to the right, my knees to the left. Due to short hamstrings, my knees were quite bent, putting stress on the leg muscles when standing. Finally my spine was curved to the right, making my right shoulder lower than the left, even when sitting in a relaxed position. This must have presented quite a challenging picture. Nonetheless, we started with the lessons. Hope simultaneously taught me lengthening, visualization techniques, letting go of muscle tension and physiology, in a tailored comprehensive package, that made sense both on the intellectual and kinesthetic levels. She spent many hours with me on the table, using her skills to teach my body to ease into a different more gentle way of moving. Over time we saw dramatic results. My hips are no longer twisted to the right, but are quite straight. My lower back no longer hurts. My right femur is resting part way in the hip socket, putting much less stress on the surrounding muscles. My right side is almost as strong as my left. Although still bent, my legs are much straighter than before. But the single most remarkable thing to me is that the spasticity is almost completely gone. Because of this my muscles are growing in mass and strength, and my stamina has increased dramatically." --- Swami Suddhananda "Dear Hope: Thank you so much for my extended Alexander Session. I appreciate you giving of your valuable time and incredible gift--I feel like a new person. I will see you in the future - SOON. --- Dee "Rarely in life does one have the opportunity to work with
teachers of understanding and insight, but one knows immediately when
that opportunity presents itself. There is something synergistic in the
relationship which goes beyond the mere transference of knowledge, to
change the student's fundamental way of being. In my case, that change
is a tremendous difference in the way I feel physically and spiritually.
It is the abilities and insights of Hope Mell which have caused this shift
in my life. For many years I suffered from lower back pain, going through
two disc operations and several bouts with muscle spasms since 1980. In
the past five years, I also developed a chronic pain in my neck, at some
points radiating down my right arm, and problems with my ankles and knees.
And for good measure, I developed hyperthyroidism, with its attendant
psychological and physiological discomforts. Now, some months later, I
feel completely different than before I started Alexander Technique classes.
Chronic back pain is gone; my joints do not hurt, and my mobility has
improved markedly. My neck does not hurt, and the hyperthyroidism is gone.
To have even one of these happen in so short a time would be wonderful,
but to have all of them occur is truly incredible. In my heart I know
that it is Hope's love, caring and Alexander Technique abilities that
have brought about this change in my life."
Who developed the Alexander Technique? Over ninety years ago F.M. Alexander discovered that his poor coordination threatened his success as an actor as well as his health. Unable to meet the demands of performance and unable to find any real help, he was forced to conclude that the source of his problem was something he was doing to himself in the way he performed his activities. He solved his problem by developing a process which retrained his thinking, improved his coordination, enriched the quality of his performance, strengthened and personalized his style. Today, this process is called the Alexander Technique. Who studies the Alexander Technique? Anyone who is physically uncomfortable due to stress, postural habits, movement problems, old injuries, or poor self-image. Performing artists and teachers of the performing arts. Athletes, equestrians, and martial artists. Movement educators, dance therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors and psychologists. Anyone who wishes to regain more of their ease, flexibility, tone, breath, fluidity, strength, expressiveness and grace.
What do others think about the Alexander Technique? The Alexander Technique
is endorsed by and is included in the curriculum of many major institutions
including The American Conservatory Theatre, American Dance Festival,
Brandeis University, The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, The
Julliard School-Music and Theater Divisions, Manhattan School of Music,
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London Royal College of Music, London
San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Distinguished
students and supporters of the Alexander Technique: Last updated: 1/30/05 |
