TECHNIQUE ALEXANDER
JULIE VANDER POORTEN
Life is expansion
be bold
follow your curiosity
ABOUT
"People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures."
F.M Alexander.
"The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities..." https://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm
View or download this 10-minute introductory video produced by the British Medical Journal in 2008 as part of a major study showing the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique in alleviating back pain.
FREDERIC MATHIAS ALEXANDER
F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) was an Australian actor who began to experience chronic laryngitis whenever he performed. When his doctors could not help him, Alexander discovered a solution on his own. He had not been aware that excess tension in his neck and body were causing his problems, and began to find new ways to speak and move with greater ease.
His health improved to such an extent that his friends, such as John Dewey (an American Philosopher, father of fonctionnel psychology, whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform) several of the doctors or scientist such as Charles Scott Sherrington (neurophysiologist) he had consulted earlier persuaded him to teach others what he had learned. Over a career span of more than fifty years, he refined his method of instruction. After teaching for over 35 years, he began to train teachers of what has now become known as the Alexander Technique.
JULIE
Julie is teaching the Alexander Technique to everyone. Adults, children, teenagers. It can be taught in french, English, sign langage.
Lessons in the Alexander Technique can take many forms: most often individual lessons, but also workshops, theoretical and/or practical introductions and lessons in small groups.
Individual lessons generally last between 30 and 45 minutes.
In order to develop a good understanding of the Technique you should think of a minimum of 30 lessons, at a frequency of minimum one lesson per week.
Lessons cost 50 euros and last between 45 minutes and one hour. All lessons canceled on the same day will be due except in cases of force majeure or illness.
One is never afraid of the unknown
one is afraid of the known coming to an end
Krishnamurti
I always have been drawn to the exploration of the relationship between the inner world of the human being and the surrounding outer world, through modalities such as Art and Science. I have worked in the film industry, and as a photographer and undertook a number of Architectural projects. My insatiable curiosity led me to devote my life to educating myself through continuous learning processes; indigenous European Herbal medicine, Laban Bartenieff movements, sign language, cognitive neurosciences, Brief Therapy (Palo Alto Model) & Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, self-induced cognitive trance (trance science research). Life being a long exploration of interconnected systems.
Deeply concerned with the present world's systemic crisis (ecological, economic and social), I am engaged in eco-activism, and deep ecology. I'm currently learning different innovative ways to regenerate our natural and human ecosystems.
I travel around the globe during my free time with my two kids. During these trip I practice my other love, photography.
I discovered the Alexander Technique in 2008. Graduated in 2013. Through my practice of the Technique I deepened my understanding and my work on psycho-physical support. I previously taught the technique at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp and Mons and now I teach the Alexander Technique at the TIM-Lab association to musicians, dancers, and anyone who wants to learn the practice. It is a great tool for the study of movement and an inspiration for creativity.
In 2018 I studied Algology ( the study of pain). This gave me a better understanding of what people with chronic pain go through and how to find the appropriate langage to accompany them.
I constantly enriches my training with the contact I have with my pupils. I also regularly goes to lessons with confirmed Alexander Technique Teachers. I am a member of the Aefmat (association of the Alexander technique Teacher of Belgium).
“One of the most remarkable of human beings characteristics is their capacity for becoming used to conditions of almost any kind, whether good or bad, both in the self and in the environment, and once hthey have become used to such conditions they seem to them both right and natural. This capacity is a boon when it enables them to adapt themself to conditions which are desirable, but it may prove a great danger when the conditions are undesirable. When their sensory appreciation is untrustworthy, it is possible for them to become so familiar with seriously harmful conditions of misuse of themself that these malconditions will feel right and comfortable.”
― F. Matthias Alexander, The Use of the Self
"Little by little the Alexander Technique has changed my life. I'm learning everyday how to give more attention on how to use myself in everyday life activities, and build a new relationshionship with my instrument."
Ageet (cellist)
"... So... I'm sitting and standing, sitting and standing... then lying on the table... and sometimes she says "Bravo Astrid", and I don't really know why because I did nothing special! It took me time to understand how precious it is to learn how to do nothing, and how to stop".
Astrid (psychologist)
"In the Alexander Technique not only the ground is a support. Having a great teacher on my side gave me confidence. I'm finally learning how to leave myself alone. I feel so long, so light and quiet. I'm serene".
Catheline (Doctor, Researcher & Painter)
People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures
F.M. Alexander
Think in movement - explore
Open to all, our association aims to develop all activities favorising practical and inclusive approaches wherein the experience, whatever the result may be, is at the heart of a learning process: sharing knowledge in all its forms, without social or cultural discrimination, bringing together citizens around the systemic world crisis (ecologic, economic and social), in order to observe the human condition together as it is, and to give it our complete attention.For this we have several humanist approaches, one being the Alexander Technique which we share and promote through workshops, courses, conferences, exhibitions and publications.The Asbl assists and contributes to any other activities that resemble it in their approach.Our activities are laic, non-partisan and non-lucratif.
Julie Vander Poorten 98 rue du Mail 1050 BRuxelles
00 32 476 328 157