Christine Lidvall, B.Sc., M.A.
ATI Certified Teacher in the Alexander Technique
Director, Houston School for the Alexander Technique
281.989.8574
chris.lidvall@ahealingcollective.com
CHECK OUT OUR CLASSES ON ZOOM BELOW!
Christine Lidvall has been teaching the Alexander Technique since 2000 when she was certified through Alexander Technique International (ATI). She graduated from the teachers training course of the Alexander Alliance in Philadelphia, PA where she studied with Bruce and Martha Hansen Fertman. She has also studied intensively with Frank Ottiwell, John Nicholls and with first generation teacher Elizabeth Walker. She offers individual lessons at A Healing Collective and gives workshops and classes for many organizations including the C.G. Jung Educational Center of Houston, the Jewish Community Center of Houston, University of Houston and Rice University.
Lidvall founded and directed Chrysalis Dance Company from 1983 to 1996 and taught dance and the Alexander Technique for Rice University for over 20 years. She has taught workshops and master classes in dance for organizations across the country. Her background in dance and other movement studies influences her teaching of the Alexander Technique. She is a graduate with a B.Sc. in communications from Northwestern University and holds an M.A. in dance from the University of Houston/Clear Lake.
In 2010 she founded The Houston School for the Alexander Technique, a teacher training program. For more information on the training go to www.alexandertechniquehouston.com.
The Alexander Technique
–Movement in the way nature intended.
The Alexander Technique is a unique and practical way of resolving pain or difficulties with movement, from everyday activities like gardening to specialized ones like playing a musical instrument. It is a form of neuromuscular reeducation that evolved from the work of F.M Alexander (1869-1955).
We all have movement habits that we develop over time. These habits can cause stress while we go about our day and we don’t often notice that we are in trouble until we experience pain. With the Alexander Technique we can become more aware of ourselves both in movement and in stillness. Our usual ideas of posture change from thinking we have to hold ourselves to a more fluid and relaxed state of uprightness. We are able over a period of time to change our habits and return to the more natural ease of movement we had as children. We may discover along the way that how we think has a great effect on us.
| A British study of the Alexander Technique published in 2009 showed that it gave the best results for relieving back pain when compared to massage and exercise. After about 24 lessons in the Alexander Technique over a year’s time the participants in the study were able to move without pain and a year later still had no pain. |
Who was F.M. Alexander?
F.M. Alexander was a self reliant man born in Tasmania, Australia in 1869. While working as an actor he began to lose his voice. As the doctors he visited could find nothing wrong with his vocal cords, he decided the problem must be something he was doing to create his hoarseness. As he studied himself in a three-way mirror while speaking, he began to see how he tightened in his neck and pulled his head off balance from his spine. He soon saw that most people create an imbalance in their psycho-physical coordination without recognizing it. Thus began a study that would develop into his life’s work and change the lives of the many people who were his students.
What is a lesson like?
When you come for a session in the Alexander Technique, it is called a lesson because you will be learning how to notice your movement habits and how to gently let them change. This can be a very enjoyable experience as you will be learning to move with less tension and more ease. I will take you through some everyday movement like walking or sitting and standing, or we can look at any specific task you would like to improve. Table work is often a part of a lesson and can help students to practice Active Rest, using your thinking to help release tensions as you are lying down in a semi-supine position.
Doctors and Physical Therapists often refer patients to me as they have found that the Alexander Technique can help people gain a clearer kinesthetic experience. Even the well known Dr. Weil has recommended the Alexander Technique.
ZOOM CLASSES
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, 1 hour Zoom Classes are now available!
I have been pleasantly surprised by how well Alexander’s work can be communicated in my Zoom classes. It has been rewarding to learn how to use language and movement more precisely to help students sense themselves without hands on work. What a joy it has been to see how class members are developing their ability to use Alexander’s principles and move with greater ease and fluidity. It has been an amazing time.
Days and Times:
Tuesdays: 11am – 12noon (temporarily on hold)
Saturdays: 12noon – 1pm
Class fees are normally $20 for one class per week or $15 for 2 or more per week. I do offer a sliding scale for those whose income has been negatively affected by the pandemic. You can pay me through PayPal. If you don’t want to use PayPal, we can discuss another way you can pay. I will send you a link on the evening before or the morning of the class so that you can join.
Half hour or 1 hour individual lessons are also available on Zoom. Please email me, text me or call to inquire about these lessons. chrislidvall@att.net 281-989-8574
Houston School for the Alexander Technique
The Houston School for the Alexander Technique NOW offers Alexander Technique Teacher Training programs. More details here.
