therapies

Alexander Technique

Nutrition

Postural and Ergonomic Advice

Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a unique method that teaches you how to use your body 
in an effortless, efficient way with good postural use at all times.

It is uncommon for people to demonstrate good postural use. We lose what poise and balance we have usually after the age of 3. This means we may suffer from back pain, joint problems and general aches and pains, including breathing problems. The knowledge of the relationship of the head to the neck and to the back is vital if we are going to have 
a strong flexible body throughout our life.

One of the most common causes of muscular pain is poor posture. Neck poking, slumping, 'collapsed spine' are common, especially with computer users. Poor postural habits such as crossing the arms or legs may lead to future problems. For example, standing with the weight unevenly distributed through the feet may eventually lead to  pain in the hip joint and surrounding musculature.

Brenda McAuliffe and Linda Henderson have also combined the disciplines of Hatha Yoga and the Alexander Technique to create a unique style of Yoga which they call Postural Yoga.

Therapists - Linda Henderson and Brenda McAuliffe
Linda Henderson and Brenda McAuliffe set up the Blackheath Holistic Health Service together in 1991. Their careers have followed almost identical paths.

They are qualified and experienced Counsellors, Alexander Technique Teachers as well as trained Iyengar Yoga Teachers. They began practising Yoga in 1970 under the tutorship of leading Iyengar Teachers. They both discovered the Alexander Technique during their Iyengar teacher training course and saw the profound implication its teaching could have on the discipline of Yoga. This led them to complete a 3 year full time training course in the Alexander Technique. In 1987 they qualified and they began to integrate the two disciplines to create Postural Yoga.

They are experienced integrative counsellors centred in Jungian psychology and dreamwork and follow an authentic psychological and spiritual path. They have practiced Dhyana Meditation for many years. In their holistic approach to the Alexander Technique and Postural Yoga they respect and teach the person as a unique being with individual needs.

As the founder partners of Blackheath Holistic Health Service they have both taught Postural Yoga for Adult Education Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley. They have taught in a diversity of mediums and places: Yoga on GMTV health programmes, the Alexander Technique at Clare College, Cambridge and also given lectures and demonstrations on the Alexander Technique to leading London teaching hospitals and health clinics. They are currently teaching Postural Yoga at the CHC, Friends Meeting House, Mycenae House, and Shrewsbury House. Brenda is teaching the Alexander Technique at the Complementary Health Centre.

Linda has run Postural Yoga holidays abroad for her own company Blackheath Holistic Health Service and also for private holiday companies. Linda, more recently has begun teaching children Postural Yoga in local private schools: Blackheath High and Blackheath Nursery and Preparatory.

Brenda has focussed more on teaching the Alexander Technique privately and at the CHC. Linda and Brenda are currently engaged on editing and producing a book on Postural Yoga.

Nutrition Advice is available from Naturopath/Osteopath Lyndsay Mudford- see Osteopathy

Postural and Ergonomic advice workshops are run by Gill Howells- (Osteopath and Physiotherapist) Please contact receptionists for current details.