Colleen trained as an Alexander Technique teacher for 3 years in Leeds, graduating in 1994.  She was an accredited member of The Society of Teachers of The Alexander Technique  until 2024.

Colleen’s Story: ‘I started having Alexander Technique lessons in the 1980s. I was suffering from back ache and sciatic pain after a skiing accident as a teenager, heavy lifting from nursing plus chronic muscular tension from stress. I had ‘pins and needles’ in my face and neck which couldn’t be diagnosed. I was miserable with nagging pain and couldn’t find anything that worked on a long-term basis. Massage helped but I had to keep going back to get relief.

I was impressed by my first Alexander Technique lesson because the teacher showed me how to carry on looking after myself in between lessons. Not only did I quickly get pain relief, I also learned how to release tension myself. I felt better physically  as I learned how to look after myself. I felt better psychologically as I was more able to relax. After more lessons I became aware of further benefits, including increased confidence, more poise, a greater ability to control ‘bad habits’, and a better ability to face intimidating or anxiety-provoking situations.

I like to cycle, swim, work out in the gym and go hill walking and more recently I have discovered the challenge of learning to play golf. I continue to find that applying the Alexander Technique makes these activities easier and more pleasurable, although I cannot make any claims for ‘expertise’!

As well as teaching the Alexander Technique, Colleen was a lecturer in psychology at the University of Bolton from 2001-2010. She also has a psychotherapy practice in Bradford (http://www.counsellingbradford.com/).