“After my one to one session with you I stood up and it seemed as if all the stresses and strains accumulated over the years had been melted away from my joints, my ligaments, my tendons and my bones. As if the clock had been turned back, my body was lighter and more fluid. I felt 10 years younger. Quite astonishing!”
— Mai Davies, Journalist
“One of the most amazing things for me is the effect the Alexander Technique has had on me mentally. I feel so much calmer, so much more in control of myself. I feel I am much less impulsive, more confident; this has helped me so much in every aspect of my life. I am usually completely pain-free now, more relaxed and more focussed. Now I really notice if I start getting tense, when before it was my usual state. The way I feel, move and think have all improved no end through the Alexander Technique”
— Jane Coode, Poseidon Swim School
“The Feldenkrais classes with Philippa are just amazing - we seem to ‘do’ so little and yet, by the end of the class, my range of movement has always increased considerably; quite magical!”
— Rainer
“On my first Feldenkrais lesson I really thought nothing was happening. How wrong was I! As the day and following days unfolded I became aware how aspects of my body had released and relaxed. I also find it fascinating that both sides of my brain are being used differently. Thank you Philippa, every lesson is a real experience for the better.”
— Eugenie
“I have been to both Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais classes with Philippa and had extremely positive experiences at both. She is an extraordinary teacher: sensitive, knowledgeable and excellent at communicating. She helped me very much with my neck pain as well as improving my awareness of movement and the human mind/body in general. She helped me find more joy in my every day actions, taught me some tools for troubleshooting when pain does flare up, and I can’t recommend her classes highly enough!”
— Lois Woolley
“I have chronic/persistent pain in all joints/bones/muscles from the waist down and it is debilitating. However, since starting the class with Philippa 4 months ago, the improvements have been miraculous. I was wholly unable to turn my head from side to side to safely cross a road and, now I have learnt ways to enable my whole body to achieve this. I was on the brink of requiring walking aids as walking was becoming more and more difficult, and through Philippa’s classes again, I have gained insight into how the pelvic region can be effectively used to achieve remarkable results to ease walking.
I have experienced so much pain and anguish in recent years because of my body, and had tried everything and had started to associate all movement with pain in the body – but there are points in the classes where I find a particular movement is actually pleasurable. It’s liberating! I’m extremely grateful for this class and look forward to it every week, and feel very lucky to have Philippa teach the class in such a thoughtful and considered way; as it shows the experience she has of the human body and the limitations some of us are experiencing.”
— Natasha T, Lawyer
“I have a long-term low-back condition, which I manage with daily physiotherapy exercises. I was looking to complement these with some other discipline to add to my daily routine. Feldenkrais plus physio turned out to be a perfect mix for me, strengthening my core muscles and building my flexibility and load-bearing capacity”
— David Townsend Jones
“As an older person anxious to retain good mobility, but with various unidentified and intermittent aches and pains, I have found the classes help my understanding and freedom of movement. Crucially this is without pressure, and through very gentle encouragement helps me to use various parts of my body and become conscious of their interaction.”
— Margaret
“Twenty years after my last Alexander Technique lesson I can honestly say that learning this technique with Philippa has been one of the most valuable learnings of my life, freeing me entirely from the recurring back pain, neck pain and aching shoulders which had plagued me for decades, by showing me how I was causing them and how to avoid doing so. What a gift!”
— Gordon Benson
“I would just like to give some feedback on the Feldenkrais lesson I had with you on Saturday. New technique to me but wow how effective! The pain in my shoulder blade has completely gone. I have had issues with it for about 8 months and received 10 closely spaced osteopathic sessions (with little improvement) But after doing the Awareness Through Movement class the movement in my shoulder is freer and looser and I can now reach into extended mountain posture with proper shoulder rotation. I did some further work using the Feldenkrais method last night and will continue this week. But my arm and shoulder feel normal again! Thank you. Amazing healing technique!”
— Samantha Phillips, yoga teacher
“I’ve been attending Philippa’s Awareness Through Movement classes for several years now since moving to Swansea. I find that Philippa is a very knowledgeable and committed teacher, and has a very nice way of instructing and pacing us through the lesson. The lessons have varying levels of complexity, but I often find myself at the end of the lesson surprised at how easily I’m able to do what I initially couldn’t. Throughout I am encouraged to slow down and pay attention to the sensations of movement, and by the end of the lesson, as well as often learning something new I also feel very relaxed and alert.
The lessons with Philippa are excellent and I feel much healthier for going. I would encourage anybody to go along with an open mind and be prepared to learn something new about how they move and feel.”
— Sam, trainee doctor
“I expected to be taught how to improve my posture and to be generally more aware of the way I moved, but steadily I came to understand that it was far more than that. The Alexander lessons have been different from what I expected, a completely new experience for me. Surprisingly it’s teaching me a new dimension to my everyday life. Philippa’s way of teaching is wonderfully calm and totally free from any pressure, so the experience of having lessons is relaxing, thought-provoking and very helpful”
— Myra Jones
“I have found attending Philippa’s Feldenkrais classes beneficial for body but also mind. Her direction is very gentle, emphasising for each person to work to their individual level without any pressure, whilst making you think about your body in a new way. She creates a really welcoming environment, whether you are a regular participant or new to the class. I look forward to having the space and time for me to quieten the “internal chatter” of the day, as much as to feel my body is learning to move more effectively and have general awareness of movement that I did not have before. At the end of the hour I always feel calmed and physically lighter. Before I starting going to the classes I had aches in my hip and back at times but these have now pretty much gone. I feel anyone could benefit from Feldenkrais with Philippa, to invest in themselves physically and mentally.”
— Natasha Edmonds
“I was rather apprehensive about joining the class - I’m 86, have a hip replacement and painfully arthritic knees - but each week I feel so much helped and refreshed (and often have a laugh too) At the end of the session I’m so much improved that I often forget my walking stick!”
— Ros
“I have been attending a weekly Awareness Through Movement group class for nearly 2 years and still every one is different. The variety and increased flexibility achieved within an hour session is always surprising. This exploration of movement and release of tension with no forced stretching or pain is delightfully simple and effective. I am so pleased to have found Feldenkrais with this inspirational teacher and wholeheartedly recommend everyone to try it!”
— Simon Emery, surgeon
“I started Alexander lessons with a clear aim of improving my posture which has been pretty bad for some years. I guess my expectation was that I would be ‘sorted out’ by a practitioner. After a few lessons I realised that a partnership was developing which would be essential if I was to learn how to use the technique on a daily basis and be able to ‘sort myself out’. The key impact has been a greater understanding of how the body functions in terms of movement. It may sound obvious but the big leap for me was linking this knowledge to being aware enough of how I sit, stand, walk. I now think about moving in a way I never have before. Philippa’s style of teaching suits me down to the ground. I need explanation in order to learn. If I had only been ‘done-to’ by her I couldn’t have made the necessary connections - only I can change my habits after all! I’d recommend AT lessons, it’s about thought process as well as physical change and, for me, I came to realise that it’s as an ongoing commitment. I feel it’s beneficial for me to continue the work of improvement after many years of poor habit. The lessons are enjoyable and I always feel better about myself when I leave.”
— Julie Nedin, Retired N.H.S. dietitian
“When I came to live in Swansea I was surprised and delighted to find there were Feldenkrais classes here. Philippa’s way of teaching is informal and relaxed, and she has a wide range of knowledge which encompasses both the understanding of physical injuries and how to direct my awareness in a helpful way. I’d been diagnosed with a damaged disc in my lumbar spine and had found no lasting relief from osteopathic and chiropractic treatments. Even standing was painful and it was difficult to work, and at 6’5” I was uncomfortable in most car seats. A series of Individual Feldenkrais ‘Functional Integration’ sessions helped me learn how to find new ways of moving so the pain reduced, and I was no longer exacerbating the injured disc. I learned how to handle myself differently and find new movement patterns, and so doing the group Feldenkrais lessons is a great support and reminder for this learning process.
The course of Alexander lessons I had with Philippa enabled me to sit in comfort and ease even during my recent 3 month meditation retreat, when previously on long retreats I’d get back pain. The scope of the benefits is far-ranging, helping me find more ease of breath and movement in daily life practical activities and particularly in the difficult physical demands of my work.”
— Simon Butler, painter and decorator
“The poet Khalil Gibran once said: ‘A wise teacher does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.’ Philippa is that wise and very skillful teacher and through her masterly guidance I am learning to explore new ways of moving - ways that are more fluid, natural and effortless. My back pain has improved greatly over the past year. However I’ve got a new problem now: I think I might be addicted to Feldenkrais!”
— H.M., Yoga teacher
“After developing an inner ear problem I struggled with my balance for almost a year. Through Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais, I have been able not only to regain basic movements, but to feel comfortable with my body again. The lessons with Philippa have really helped me feel that I am in control of my movements again, and helped me move from constantly fighting with my body to working with it. It’s hard to articulate what a difference this has made to my life.”
— Julianya Jay, Trainee chiropractor
“When I began seeing Philippa, the pain in my neck and shoulders was so severe I thought I would have to give up work. Gradually the pain subsided, enabling me to move more freely and resume my normal life. Her lessons are very relaxing and this feeling persists for a while afterwards. It is no exaggeration to say that Philippa’s excellent teaching of the Alexander Technique has transformed the quality of my life.”
— I.W. Retired shorthand typist
“I do both Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais and feel they work really well together and have both made me feel more comfortable and relaxed in my own skin. I’m much lighter on my feet and far less likely to injure myself when exercising. Philippa spotted straight away what I was doing to cause myself back pain - something that both the sports physio and the chiropractor I had recently seen missed! I had pain and discomfort for years and now I basically don’t have a bad back any more :-)”
— Claire Coxon, Illustrator
“For years I have been regularly visiting osteopaths to relieve my back pain, but Alexander Technique lessons with Philippa have made a huge difference. I now have much less pain (and am saving on osteopath bills) – I only wish I’d started years ago.”
— John Anderton
“Feldenkrais is far too well kept a secret! I was overjoyed to find a teacher in South Wales. Until I moved to Swansea (which I did partly to be nearer a Feldenkrais practitioner ) I was prepared to travel 45 minutes to class. As for the work itself, a year or so since starting, I still find it confusing sometimes and often need to stop and rest (especially my brain!) in a class, but that is actively encouraged! Being in the group does not feel competitive - I’m sure we must all be on our own journey of discovery. I think this system is intelligent and is working, bit by bit, to help me in ways that I cannot yet fully comprehend or explain. I don’t think there is anything else quite like it. I feel freer moving and dancing (which is great!) and my qi gong teacher has observed a greater ‘softness’ in me.”
— Barbara C. , Lawyer
“I had suffered with lower back pain for years when I started Alexander Technique lessons with Philippa 9 years ago. Philippa has taught me to be more aware of my body and to be more mindful of how I move around. As a result I am more flexible, calmer, less fearful of injury and I experience less back pain. Philippa is an excellent teacher and I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
— Nicola Jones, Administrator
“After many years of visiting chiropractors and physiotherapists which provided only temporary relief from my lower back pain I also developed knee pain. Suspecting stress and tension was a factor in my ongoing problems I contacted Philippa in the hope that the Alexander Technique would be the solution. It was a shock to discover in my first lesson how totally unaware I was of how I used my body to perform the simplest of everyday movements. By including some Feldenkrais into my private lessons and joining the group classes, I am learning to recognise where I am holding on to muscular tension. Performing the movement slowly and to my own level of ability is incredibly enjoyable and relaxing. The combination of Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method is teaching me to recognise muscular tension, to let go of it and move with an increasing ease. After a lesson the immediate sensations the increased body awareness brings can be confusing though not unpleasant. I often feel a change in my balance and posture, and a strange feeling of my body taking up more space than usual for example my shoulders feeling wider, feeling taller or larger. These lessons are challenging but I am reaping the rewards. Unlike a massage or chiropractic treatment which does ease the symptoms temporarily I am recognising the cause of my pain and seeing a future where I no longer need to seek help towards a pain-free life”
— Wendy, Factory worker
“My Feldenkrais lesson with you was a really wonderful experience. It allowed me to understand better the possibilities of this approach. I felt relaxed and more aware of my body. I enjoyed the subtle movements that you guided me through and loved the feeling of released tension in my joints and muscles. Later that day and the days that followed the lesson, I was able to move better. I can see now how Feldenkrais method could help my clients with cancer, such as women with breast cancer needing to regain mobility after surgery. It could also empower them in learning how to feel more at ease during a difficult time in their lives. I look forward to working with you in the future to combine our knowledge in helping people realise their potential for well-being and transform the experience of living with cancer.”
— Dr.Eleni Tsiompanou, Medical Director, Health Being Institute
