Alexander Technique Articles:
'The Personal Account':
Cat Jary, Director and founder of the school,
is both a professional cellist and Alexander Technique teacher.
Cat’s interest in Alexander Technique developed as a
result of problems and pain when playing the cello. As a teenager,
Cat experienced cramp in the left arm - affecting the agility
and accuracy of the left hand, and severe backache. Throughout
the next few years these problems worsened. In addition, a
burning pain in the right shoulder developed to such an extent
that her cello playing days looked numbered.
Cat had been going to an osteopath for a year for regular
treatments when she was advised to try Alexander Technique
lessons.
The Alexander Technique rang bells from Cat’s childhood.
Her cello teacher, Suzanne Madin, noticed the physical effort
her young pupil, aged 11 or 12, put in whilst struggling to
play above a soft piano. Suzanne recommended a consultation
with Dr Wilfred Barlow, a first generation teacher trained
by F M Alexander himself. On the recommendation of Dr Barlow,
Cat had a few lessons at the Alexander Institute.
Cat’s next encounter with the Technique came several
years later whilst playing principal cello with Bedfordshire
County Youth Orchestra. The cello coach, Graham Elliot, had
experienced the benefits of Jean Gibson’s work. Jean
was strongly influenced by F M Alexander. Throughout the course,
the orchestral cello solo in Brahms Second Piano Concerto
had been causing Cat pain, nerves and anxiety. Graham worked
with Cat two or three times during the course, and in particular,
directly before the orchestra went on stage. In the concert,
the solo flowed effortlessly, and Cat found she was playing
the cello as she had only dreamed was possible.
However, over the next 10 years, the problems and pain increased.
Cat held on to the hope that she would find a way to sort
it as she had with the Youth Orchestra concert all those years
ago.
Cat took the osteopath’s advice and started regular
Alexander Technique lessons with Penelope Easten, eventually
enrolling on a three-year full-time Alexander Technique course,
at the North London Alexander Teacher Training School.
She quickly developed an interest in musician’s injuries
and found that some of her colleagues and pupils were experiencing
their own problems and difficulties related to playing.
Cat now enjoys a busy schedule as a professional cellist and
continues to give solo and chamber music recitals.
In 2002, Cat was invited to join the Alexander Studio, a well-respected
practice originally established by Dr Barlow as the Alexander
Institute, and which continues to flourish under the Directorship
of Anthony Kingsley.
The following is a more in-depth account of Cat's training,
if you would like to visit a particular chapter select it
below, or start from the very
beginning.
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