Karen Rachels, MFT

I walked into Constance’s cozy cottage in search of better posture and
walked out with more self-confidence. Constance is a gifted healer, using
gentle touch and holding along with direct and compassionate feedback.
Through my sessions with her, my awareness of my physical self grew which in
turn enhanced my emotional awareness. I’d recommend Alexander Technique and
particularly Constance to anyone whose sense of physical or emotional self
needs support. You will be held in good hands and led by a loving heart.

Denis Moreen, Musician

Constance Clare-Newman is a gem – a gentle, skilled and fun practitioner. Over a period of two months, she taught me essential Alexander techniques regarding my neck, head, back and knees (and that “monkey”!), and how these relate to my entire being. I incorporated her suggestions into my daily routines – while exercising, swimming, walking, sitting, and reaching throughout the day. As time went on, I learned that if I focused on a free neck and a lengthened spine, most every action seemed more relaxed and easier to do. The results: After eight weeks, the pains in my knees, back and neck had disappeared, and their stiff areas had greatly improved. My body is working much better, thanks to Constance and her dedication to Alexander Technique.

Aida McGugan, Classical Dressage student, Alexander teacher

Your workshop was a revelation. It helped me achieve a better understanding
of years of riding instructions. Thanks to your clear and encouraging
instruction I have more ease and stability in the saddle. My horse loves my
new better balance and is happy in our work.

Elisabeth Belle, Construction Project Manager

I have tried any number of therapies and practices to improve the quality of my life. Of all of them, I think I have gotten the most out of the Alexander Technique. Very importantly, it has left me with an awareness of how to practice the work any moment of the day on my own. It is as essential as breathing really. I am aware that the practice can be expanded to higher levels of consciousness, as much as I am capable of tuning in. That’s a key for me…wake up and be mindful of my operations.

Melissa L, Videographer

For years I’ve had tension headaches due to poor posture. I knew I needed to work on my posture but felt overwhelmed at the idea of retraining years of sitting and standing habits so I was reluctant to get started. My husband recommended I look into trying Alexander Technique and a quick search led me to Constance who is based nearby.

I loved working with Constance from the very first lesson. She welcomed me into her cozy studio and I immediately felt at home in her warm, relaxed presence. I began feeling better after incorporating things she showed in in my very first lesson. I signed up for 10 lessons and began seeing her once or twice a week. Each week we built on what was learned before and I began to have a real shift in the way I held and used my body — even friends and family started comment. Best of all, I had a big reduction in my headaches which went from being almost daily to just a few times a month.

A few years went by and I decided to start seeing Constance again to refresh and work on my Alexander Technique. Again I felt a big shift after the very first lesson.

I feel so grateful to have found Constance and had the opportunity to work with her.  I look forward to my lessons with her each week! Not only has she shown me how to begin to undo all these old habits and to use my body with more ease, she’s also shown me how to approach this work with curiosity and gentleness. She’s an amazing teacher!

Nicole Napientek, Registered Dietitian, MPH

I started out working with Constance for chronic pain in my hip and back and numbness in my leg that started after a car accident. I didn’t know what to expect, and I felt a shift in my body after only one session. I’ve been doing weekly sessions for the last 4 months and I feel better in my body now than I can remember. Each session I feel more in touch with my body, and a sense that I’m whole, that my mind and body are not separate. Beyond just the physical aspect, I have felt an unfolding or “undoing” as Constance would say of more than just my physical tension, it’s like an undoing of all the effort I put out in the world to be me. Somehow, I just don’t have to try anymore and the physical, emotional, and spiritual whole of who I am can just be. I don’t know how working on my posture has ignited and awakened all of this, but it has and I’m forever grateful to have Constance as a teacher in the Alexander Technique. I would recommend even just one session to anyone, I believe we could all benefit in some way from even just an hour of Alexander Technique.

Stephen Colgan, Psychotherapist and Vertabrate

Alexander lessons with Constance have affected my life more profoundly than
I could have imagined when I first began. The mundane experience of moving
through the world- sitting, walking, reaching, lifting- is enlivened and
enriched by the adventure of the Alexander Technique. I did not know that
simple movement and posture could be such a source of joy and fascination.
Constance is an intuitive, kind, patient, insightful and playful guide. I
often marvel at just how much fun a lesson can be.
An Alexander lesson is impossible to describe in words- you gotta be there.
I would unreservedly recommend the experience to anyone who has a body.

Anna McConnell, Actor

Recently after an Alexander lesson, I needed to run around the city doing errands. It ended up becoming a great AT exercise: I noticed that I habitually tensed up when I felt cold, when I had to wait in line, when I was calmly sitting in the train but just thinking about the audition on Saturday, etc. I noticed that my body/mind system indeed OVERreacts to mundane, trivial, essentially insignificant situations as if they were questions of life and death. I also noticed that it was fairly easy to release the tension, breathe and let it go, and that even in the middle of an argument it’s possible to be in a more neutral, relaxed physical space than I’d realized. Looking around me in traffic I realized how most people around me were indeed frowning, tightening up their whole bodies and staying in this physical and mental space that no longer looked natural, in a way, but rather like something painful, exhausting and unnecessary. Another thing I’ve noticed is that the more aware I am of the tension in my body, the more I breathe and let it go and return to a neutral space, the less I desire external artificial stress-reducers like cigarettes or sugar. I’m very excited about all these small discoveries and I’m looking forward to my next lesson

Beverly Ryle, Career Coach

I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that Alexander’s idea of achieving greater freedom and ease of movement works also with more than just muscles, nerves and bones. Looking for places in my body where I habitually store stress, it didn’t take long for me to discover what felt like a sizzling mass of hot wires in the back of my neck and left shoulder blade that appeared whenever I was provoked by an unpleasant sensation, e.g. sitting for a long period of time in summer traffic. But it took a while to figure out where I stashed my emotional patterns of holding. When I heard myself sharing a painful situation in my life exactly the way I’d shared it for the last two years, I knew I’d hit paydirt……when I became aware that I was dredging up an old pile of muck by re-telling for the umpteenth time the sad tale of a broken relationship, I asked myself, how could I have responded in a way that would serve me better?  Does this story reflect how I see the world right now, and who I want to be? I realized that I was reciting a script I knew by heart, and it came from an unnecessary pattern of holding, just like the ache in my shoulder. www.BeverlyRyle.com

Daniel Feiszli, Bass Player

I’m a musician, and I began studying the Alexander Technique as a last resort to overcome a troubling repetitive stress injury that no amount of physical therapy or other treatments had helped. It was an unexpected surprise when not only did studying the AT work and allow me to go back to making music and performing pain free, but it also greatly enhanced both my performance and my enjoyment and appreciation for life in general. The AT has become invaluable to me not only in making music, but in daily activities as well. I would highly recommend it as a life-changing positive learning experience to every single person on the planet.

Nina Feldman, Owner, Nina Feldman Connections

I worked with Constance for the first six months of this year. I saw her initially because–despite regular chiropractic and massage therapy–I’d been experiencing chronic moderate-to-severe neck, shoulder, and upper back pain for decades due to postural issues exacerbated by sitting at the computer.

It’s been two months since my last session with Constance and my body is still doing amazingly well. I can sit in a normal desk chair in front of my computer these days in relative ease and comfort. I’ve learned how not to hold my body,  and now it pretty much naturally goes where it needs to go without my having to think about it all the time.

I was concerned that, in order for Alexander to work, I would have to force myself to adopt a new “discipline” and in doing so, diligently practice methods that would require constant self-nagging and lots of extra time and energy. That didn’t turn out to be the case. I did (and still do) need to do a little internal reminding in my day-to-day life while I sit, stand, reach, and walk, but I seem to have intuitively integrated most of the new habits. Not only have I noticed ongoing changes to the way I use my body, but my massage therapist has remarked that my shoulder area is looser and more malleable, and my husband mentioned that I don’t walk or sit with my neck hunched forward the way I used to.

One of the aspects that was extremely valuable for me in working with Constance is how well she explained how the body works and why incorporating Alexander techniques can help. She made it easy to understand the science and anatomy of the spine in such a way that I can now visualize it moving as it needs to.

Matthew Rahaim, Classical Indian Vocalist

Before I came to Constance, I had to take breaks every thirty minutes or so when practicing intensively. She seemed to enjoy the intellectual challenge of working with an unfamiliar art form, and saw very quickly why my voice was getting tired so quickly. After studying with her for twelve weeks, I found that I could practice almost indefinitely without fatigue if I sang according to the principles she showed me. When I returned to India to study with my teacher, he was very pleased with the improvement in my voice production. I have been studying with Constance for a year and half now. Her insights have not only strengthened and enriched my voice production, but have allowed me to improvise more freely and expressively. She has helped me to see that the free, efficient use of Self includes both muscles and melody.

Francie Joseph, Pilates Instructor

I want to let you know that although it has been a year since I have worked with you, I still practice and benefit from many of the Alexander principles of alignment as well as some of your coaching cues for breathing, walking, and for ways of moving more gracefully up and down.  I have incorporated some of the techniques and concepts into my Pilates classes.  Practicing Constructive Rest has also helped me so much as I am able to get a “second wind” that enables me to be awake and alert throughout the day.

Colleen Orfuss, Director of Marketing

I have been taking Alexander lessons from Constance for a few months now. I didn’t know anything about Alexander before I started but was looking for a way to help relieve chronic shoulder and neck pain. Constance has shown me how to carry my whole body in a way that is easier, lighter and more free. I notice visible changes in my posture that are proof to me I am using my body in a more natural, efficient way. I have equally appreciated the mind and emotional influence as well – helping to identify how mental stress and tightness manifests itself in the body and how we move. Working to let this go has changed my outlook on many parts of my life. Constance is a highly skilled teacher with deep experience. A dancer herself she has used the Alexander techniques throughout her life as well. She has a gentle touch and intuitive and compassinate spirit. I would highly recommend Constance and Alexander.

Jeff Eisenberg, Computer Programmer

I had been thinking about trying the Alexander Technique for many years until my back pain finally convinced me to give it a try last year. The technique has taught me to recognize and stop using all the unnecessary muscles I have been using in every day movement. It has taught me to teach myself to move more like a natural human being is designed to move, not to mention, I have much better posture and my back pain has improved.

Laura Schatzkin, Web Programmer

Even though my last lesson was a while ago, I wanted you to know that I still say my directions every day and continue to benefit from my lessons. I have far less neck pain than I used to, and pretty much everyone notices how much better my posture is. Over time, it has become easier to feel when I am standing or sitting in balance. It’s greatly satisfying to know where the balance is, something that completely eluded me before my Alexander lessons.

Nikki Ben-Natan, Musician

When I discovered last year that I suffer from ‘Carpel Tunnel’, I thought this is the end of my career as both a sound engineer and musician. The Alexander Technique not only enabled me to continue doing the things I love, it has also contributed tremendously to a positive change I my life, both physically and mentally: I cut down my smoking drastically, my Arthritis and muscle pain has decreased dramatically and I am generally more relaxed and happy. I am able to recognize and change destructive patterns in my life, slowly but surely. I can definitely recommend the technique to everyone who would like to improve their use of their body, and for all who suffer from joint and muscle problems.
5 years later, Nikki writes to me:
I thought about you with a lot of gratitude during my retreat, as some of the concepts of Vipassana certainly rang a bell with my knowledge of the Alexander Technique. So thank you for introducing me to all those wonderful concepts I still carry with me. Needless to say, I still practice those ideas in countless activities throughout my day, from driving to cooking to playing music. I wouldn’t be anything near where I am today if it wasn’t for the lessons I took from you 6 years ago!

Megan Comfort, Daily Computer User

One of the most valuable aspects of my Alexander Technique lessons with Constance has been a better understanding of the mind-body connection. Through simple, direct language and the traditional Alexander hands-on approach (and aided by her excellent recommended readings), Constance helped me to realize that my habitual postures and ways of moving were ingrained in me both physically and mentally. Understanding that altering the body is as much a process of thought as it is of movement has enabled me to take pleasure in making subtle, sustained changes — and to see that even long airplane trips or daily BART rides are opportunities for growth and development.

Zeke Paradock, Warrior Librarian

I have a small birth defect in my pelvis and have always used a back pillow for sitting. In recent years I developed chronic pain and limited mobility in my back and legs. As the pain increased, I gave up things I loved—like running, weight-lifting, and martial arts. Even so, it kept getting worse until I could barely find a comfortable position to exist in. Someone recommended the Alexander Technique and after a few months of lessons with Constance I can do everything I used to be able to do and more! I can’t believe I no longer need to take my back pillow everywhere I go. It is such a thrill to have an understanding of what I’ve been doing wrong with myself and the ability to stop scrunching my back. I look forward to finding out what else the Alexander Technique can help me with!

Madeline Aranda, English Teacher

While spending five years working my way through grad school and teaching as an adjunct lecturer in several locations, I experienced an acceleration of pain from repetitive stress injury and TMJ. I kept telling myself that I would get better as soon as I adjusted to the work load and felt more confident, but obviously hoping for ease and experiencing it are not the same thing. I feel so fortunate to be studying the Alexander Technique with Constance. With great ease and presence, she guides me with directions that subtly encourage the reality of the moment to emerge. She listens at a deep level, inviting inquiry, offering imagery, and always showing me that there is movement and fluidity even in stillness. Patterns of chronic pain have scattered onto learning opportunities that require my awareness, inhibition of the automatic and re-direction. I am moving beyond mere recovery from stress through mindful resting to experiencing breath and spaciousness during challenging moments.

Ellen Bermingham, Director of Marketing at Cisco Systems, and Weekend Warrior

A career coach suggested that I try the Alexander Technique to improve my speaking skills. Before I first started practicing, I was skeptical that it would greatly affect my ability to present ideas. However, having an awareness of how I am holding my body and how I am using my voice has made me a much more powerful speaker and, better yet, a more confident speaker. For me, the huge unexpected benefits were that my skiing, biking and running improved dramatically. Having a keener awareness of my movements has helped me to ski, bike and run with less effort and to realize more enjoyment from each activity.

K. K., Archer and Engineer

Olympic-style archery requires the ability to be nearly perfectly relaxed while holding the bow at full draw, and developing an excellent sense of precisely how one’s body is aligned, as uniformity brings accuracy. I started my study of the Alexander Technique to gain insight into relaxation and the positioning of my body, and it has been extremely useful in this regard. However, there have been some strange and fascinating benefits, with one example being that it has impacted the way that I speak! Relaxation of my neck has certainly lowered my voice, and learning that one can even talk until “running out of air” has slightly improved the cadence of my speech. My posture has markedly improved, both standing and sitting, and my (mild) lower back pain has gone away. Constance has an excellent eye for the deconstruction of physical movement, so her analysis of video that I bring her of world-class archers is outstanding, and she provides excellent insight and guidance to improve my technique, making things much easier for my archery coach. Constance is an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher, as she is fascinated by nearly any kind of human (or animal) motion—she has my highest recommendation!

Fred Randolph, Bass Player

My instrument, the bass, is very demanding physically and in particular bowing has caused me to have muscle problems in my back. These problems had caused me to stop practicing bow and play pizzicato only. Through my studies with Constance I have begun to gain a better understanding, both intellectually and physically of proper body use. I can already feel the benefits of this and have recently heard comments referring to my “playing with ease”. Constance is especially good at explaining the “whys” of things and she has obviously done a lot of homework. Techniques such as the use of “mental directions” and the “whispered ahs” have been valuable in creating a stronger sense of well being prior to and during performances and recording sessions. I have recently begun practicing again with the bow. Constance certainly has my vote!

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

Learning the Alexander Technique from Constance has helped me in all sorts
of ways. I am more conscious of how much ease (or lack of ease) I feel in
everything I do, from sitting in meetings to walking by the Bay. Once I
learned the basics, I have worked with Constance on my most challenging
activities; these include working on the computer, playing flute, doing
gardening work, and exercising. As a musician on a wind instrument, I am
now much more aware of where tension arises in my body and how it affects my
breath or causes my fingers to move less easily. I have learned some
techniques for relaxing prior to performing, to help overcome the
nervousness that typically could take over in negative ways. Last night I
played my first concert as first chair flutist in a symphonic band (meaning
that the solos were mine); I was able to stay relaxed, play well, and
enjoyed the performance thoroughly!

Lawrence Don Lowe, Building Manager

About seven years ago I lost a disc in my lower back. An MRI showed a thin black line where my disc should be. I worked with a doctor of record and physical therapists. Everybody agreed that my mobility would be impaired for the rest of my life. My left leg would stiffen up and there was lots odd pain feelings. Sometimes I would fall down, out of nowhere, boom to the floor. My condition rates for social security and workman’s comp. In November 2005, I decided to try the Alexander Technique. After my first lesson, I was walking away from Constance’s office with my left leg relaxed and my arms swinging as they should. WOW…. WOW. This is the first thing anybody has showed me since I’ve been in the medical system that worked. Yes, the absolutely first thing that any person treating my condition, showed me that worked. I’ve taken about 6 lessons now and it is getting better all the time. I have been able to change my posture so I can continue to walk. I can sit down normally, instead of launching myself at a chair. I can get up from a chair with no pain or stiffness. I have been able to type for pages. I can stand for a long time with no problems. I am not tired after normal day-to-day activities. Now about Constance. I have seen lots of professionals and Constance Clare-Newman ranks right up there with the best. She is able to isolate an improper movement and show me the correct movement and I learn it. Frankly it is great to be in her presence. I believe if I had started the Alexander Technique with Constance five years ago, I would be very close to running up and down a flight of stairs at full speed with no pain; and I am sure I would be riding my bicycle.

A. M., Bookkeeper

Constance Clare and the Alexander Technique literally saved my life. I had
an extremely painful and life threatening TMJ problem that had gotten worse
over a span of four years. I could only open my mouth as wide as a
number two pencil before major pain. I had to hold my mouth closed whenever
I yawned. Eating was an ordeal and often I’d have to stop
from pain, exhaustion and frustration. Consequently, I was starving all the
time. When it reached a point where I couldn’t drink without extreme pain, I
knew I was in big trouble and that I would have to visit a Western medical dentist.
The dentist took a few second’s look at my x-ray and said, “You will be
stuck with this for the rest of your life.” He then recommended an $800
night guard and a visit to a $4000 an hour (I kid you not) jaw specialist.

I went back to my chiropractor and she suggested checking out Alexander
Technique. A number of people recommended Constance and I went to see her
immediately. By the end of the session, I was deeply relaxed in a way I had
not felt in a long time. The unrelenting pain was gone and I could drink
and chew soft food again. The effects of Alexander lasted three days. The
second session’s effects lasted five days, and resulted in me being able to
open my mouth wide enough to brush my teeth with only a little discomfort
and no tears. By the third lesson the effects were lasting all week. The
home exercises, combined with the lessons, were kicking in. I was able to
actually eat real meals of regular food. A mile stone happened after the
sixth lesson where I was able to yawn without any pain. Another major mile
stone was after the tenth lesson. I had ordered a sandwich and it turned
out it was a large submarine version. I love subs and had not been able to
eat them for four years or more, so I decided to try it and see if my jaw
could handle it, and it did, no problem.

So what a dentist deemed incurable, Alexander Technique lessons cured within
two and a half months. Alexander teachers recommend at least ten lessons to
start and it was the right amount. It has been about one and a half years
now and my jaw is still fine.

Sandi Ridley, Retired Office Worker, Life-long dedicated rider

I have a much better sense of how to softly control my back to help my horse
reach through her back into the bridle. We’re moving in buoyant harmony
more consistently thanks to the lessons I had with you.

Michael Fraser, Master Bodyworker

Constance has “The Magic Touch.” Her ability to intuit and restore fluidity and “spaciousness” in the body is quite extraordinary The term spacious is quite an accurate description of how I feel after a session. My body movements are fluid, graceful and easy, and I am filled with a sense of peacefulness and strength that come from deep inside. The Alexander Technique affects me in a totally unique way. It has become an important part of my life and helping my body through my very demanding work. I have been consistently impressed by how my level of comfort and ease in my body and my work last for weeks after a session. I appreciate the suggestions that Constance makes to help me sustain what I have learned in a lesson into the rest of my life. I highly recommend her work.

Rebecca Olmstead, Dressage Rider

I really enjoy my mounted Alexander lessons with Constance because I make big improvements in my riding. I always take away something very tangible and easy to remember – which is not always the case in the subtle and elusive sport of riding.