Barbara Materna, Ph.D., CIH. Chief, Occupational Health Branch, California

Learning the Alexander Technique from Constance has helped me in all sortsof ways. I am more conscious of how much ease (or lack of ease) I feel ineverything I do, from sitting in meetings to walking by the Bay. Once Ilearned the basics, I have worked with Constance on my most challengingactivities; these include working on the computer, playing flute, doinggardening work, and exercising. As a musician on a wind instrument, I amnow much more aware of where tension arises in my body and how it affects mybreath or causes my fingers to move less easily. I have learned sometechniques for relaxing prior to performing, to help overcome thenervousness that typically could take over in negative ways. Last night Iplayed my first concert as first chair flutist in a symphonic band (meaningthat the solos were mine); I was able to stay relaxed, play well, andenjoyed the performance thoroughly!