My Story
I have been a musician and teacher for many years. While playing a job one day, I started to experience pain and numbness in my right thumb. The pain continued to worsen over the following months and finally reached a point where I had to stop playing altogether. In fact, the pain and subsequent weakness was so intense I couldn’t hold a toothbrush, a razor or a comb. Ok, I have no reason to hold a comb, but just in case…
An MRI of my spine revealed bone spurs in my neck, pinching a nerve leading down to my hand; a scary diagnosis. By this point the pain in my neck was now even worse than my hand. It was severe and unrelenting, and affecting every aspect of my life.
After seeing several hand surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons (who wanted to operate), chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, acupressurists, a Rolfer, massage therapists etc., I took an Alexander Technique lesson.
When I walked in to my first Alexander Technique lesson, my posture was horrible and my neck and hand pain was severe. At that time I was thinking that I would probably have neck surgery. I had already met with my surgeon who wanted to “give it six more weeks” before we scheduled the operation. This first lesson was during those six weeks. I walked into the lesson with the hope of being cured or ‘fixed’, but walked out realizing I could ‘fix’ myself. What I was shown was absolutely logical and practical. The Alexander Technique is common sense, with a system. After studying the Technique for a short time the pain began to diminish. Week by week, I was feeling better and better. I was able to resume performing and studio work with no pain or discomfort, and with more control and freedom than ever! At the very least, the Alexander Technique saved my professional life, and made the rest of my life far more enjoyable. The Alexander Technique became as strong a love as my love for music.
As my pain disappeared, I continued studying the Alexander Technique. I came to the Technique because of the pain, but stayed because of the freedom, lightness and ease. The Alexander Technique makes you feel great.
After studying this technique privately for some years, I decided to take the 1600 hour, 3 year training course to become a full time Nationally Certified Alexander Technique teacher. I have studied with some of the most experienced Alexander teachers from the United States, Israel and England.
In addition to my private teaching practice, with students from all walks of life, I’ve been on faculty at ACAT, training future Alexander Teachers. Some of my private students have gone on to become certified instructors of the Alexander Technique. I teach the Alexander Technique at The Collective, the premier music school for rhythm section in NYC. I’ve taught the Technique at Barnard/Columbia University’s Physical Education department, and I’m the AT teacher on staff at A.R.E. Holistic Health and Wellness Center in New York City. I also teach the AT at the New York Spine Institute in Garden City, and at Step Into Stride Physical Therapy in Brooklyn and Manhattan. I am associated with Dr. Ehrlich, Medical Director of Beth Israel Hospital’s Continuum for Health and Healing. I work closely with Neurologist Dr. Anthony P. Geraci at NeurOasis, helping people with headaches and other stress related conditions. I presented the Alexander Technique at the New Life Expo in Manhattan. I am on the faculty teaching the Alexander Technique for LifeLabs.
I have written several articles regarding the Alexander Technique for various sites including Altmd.com, Wellsphere.com and alexandertechnique.com
Join my Enewsletter where you can receive tips about the Alexander Technique.
Professional Oganizations:
American Center for the Alexander Technique
www.acatnyc
American Society for the Alexander Technique
www.alexandertech.org
Call Mark@ 269-POSTURE
or 917.709.4648
Follow me on Twitter!
