Molly
B. Johnson
I
was introduced to the Alexander Technique while studying at Carleton
College in Northfield, Minnesota. I was majoring in Biochemistry
and planned to study Physical Therapy in graduate school. Mid-way
through my undergraduate degree, I developed pain in my wrists.
I worried about being able to continue playing music, riding my
bike, and pursuing all the other activities I had once taken for
granted. Both my voice and dance instructors had mentioned the Alexander
Technique as a way of improving my singing and dancing abilities.
As I explored the Alexander Technique on my own, I became intrigued
with a method that could not only improve my dancing and singing
ability, but could potentially teach me to use my hands without
pain.
I received a grant from Carleton to spend a summer taking modern
dance classes and studying the Alexander Technique in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. After a few lessons there was less pain in my wrists,
but I was not confident that it would go away forever. Even after
being accepted at a number of Physical Therapy programs, I did not
feel comfortable venturing into a field where I would be doing manual
therapy on patients but would not have the tools to prevent my own
pain. I enrolled in the Alexander Technique Training Center of Virginia
instead. During my training, I moved to Somerville, Massachusetts,
where I completed the three-year Alexander Teacher Training program
at the Dimon Institute and was certified by the American Society
for the Alexander Technique.
As an Alexander Teacher and lifelong student myself, I have no fear
that either the pain in my wrists or the many sports injuries I
once suffered will ever recur. I am always applying my ever-increasing
understanding of the way the body works to my own activities. I
play clawhammer banjo in an old-time string band, garden in the
summer, and swim, hike and bike whenever I get the opportunity.
I only hope to give as many students as possible the knowledge of
how to pursue their own interests in a way that does not strain
the body, but gives the confidence to go after the highest level
of skill possible.
After teaching for two years in Boston, I now have a private practice
teaching Alexander lessons in Amherst, Massachusetts. I also offer
workshops and demonstrations in the Alexander Technique in many
locations in Western Massachusetts and the Boston area. My students
include musicians and actors who want to improve their performance,
Repetitive Strain Injury sufferers learning to work without pain,
and people who just want to learn what better posture really means.
As
a Personal Trainer, I also work with clients interested in improving
their strength and cardiovascular health. I specialize in women’s
health issues, injury reduction and prevention, and respiratory
efficiency.
My
current focus, however, is on the study of posture and coordination
from a scientific perspective. I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience
and Behavior at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a
research interest in Motor Control. My hope is to help build the
bridge between the practical applications of the Alexander Technique
and theoretical research on movement control and coordination.
My
background in the Alexander Technique, Personal Training, Anatomy,
and Neuroscience allow me to approach my work in an innovative way,
allowing my clients to make gains they never believed possible.
Alexander
created what might be truly called a physiology of the living organism.
--
John Dewey
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