When I first came to Mark Claireaux for lessons in the Alexander Technique I was suffering debilitating back pain, which was hampering my career as a musician and causing great distress psychologically. The lessons, though very subtle and gentle, have created powerful and permanent changes in my posture, movement and consequently, my whole life! The most visible results were in my shoulders as they gradually unclenched and dropped markedly away from my ears. To my amazement and delight, this had the effect of freeing my movement at the piano, imbuing my playing with a hitherto unknown ease and fluidity AND making me feel more relaxed and confident. As I was guided further in the release of habitually held tension, the chronic pain diminished dramatically and I learned to sit effortlessly, without having to hold myself upright on the piano stool. This improved my playing still further and made many other activities, such as sitting painlessly in meditation postures, possible. I continue to use the Alexander Technique everyday and I consider the lessons with Mark to be the best investment in my career and myself that I have ever made.

Taylor Damion

For me the great thing about Alexander technique is that you benefit even as a beginner and you can practice what you have learnt in everyday situations. Mark is an excellent and very professional teacher and I really feel I am making progress. For example I am much less prone to lower back pain.

Julian Hansen

Over two years ago I went to Mark Claireaux to learn the Alexander Technique
because I had considerable lower back pain and also suffered from disabling migraines. Both these conditions have not just been alleviated- they have been almost entirely removed by my adopting the Alexander Technique through Mark's tuition: I no longer take pain killers for either one of these problems. I have recently had a debilitating post-viral illness with, among other symptoms, muscular pains in my limbs: again I found that the basic Alexander exercises have been immensely helpful for my well being. I am profoundly grateful for his directions and help.

Dr David Mellor

I sought out Alexander Lessons because I was at the end of my tether regarding migraines, it did not seem to matter what drugs I took, what exercise or how many alternative medicines I embraced, nothing seemed to help long term.
I had read up about the Technique, and realised that it was all about

taking control of the tensions, stresses and strains that life can throw at you.

Mark was patient and over a period of about a year, he helped me to learn that I was giving myself problems, not that I was asking for migraines, neck and back problems. More that the way I tensed up, the way I gripped my whole body internally, gave me muscle tone but in all the wrong places, not just my neck and shoulders.

When performing simple tasks such as hoovering, cleaning my teeth, polishing my shoes even watching the television, I was expending way too much effort. I was already tired before I started my working day, a good description “Strung as tight as a bow” comes to mind here. In addition to stressing my body in performing everyday tasks, I was working in a very stress laden environment (financial services industry). Mark helped me to realise that I needed to release tension as it occurred, not allow it to build up to fever pitch i.e. Migraines and to take time constantly throughout my day to check my posture and muscle state.

I highly recommend Mark as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, he makes the lessons fun, interesting, worthwhile and helps you take control of the way you react to stress.

John Stevens

Mark is a caring & gentle teacher. I have had an enormous improvement in my posture & mobility since seeing him on a regular basis. I’m standing so much better that friends have even asked if I’ve grown! I can’t recommend him highly enough.

Michael Chance (actor/pianist)