Fiona Cranwell

My Story   (by the way the picture is not me)

I became a chef. I stood, bent over various counters, stoves and sinks for many years. This compounded my rounded shoulders and put pressure on my back, hips and legs as I worked in an unbalanced way. The stress of running successful kitchens and restaurants was obvious, not only in my muscle tension, but in my snappy stressed demeanour. Acupuncture, Reiki, Massage, while all had their benefits, would do little to de-stress me in those days.

I decided to give it up and wanted to study again. Use my brain and explore new things. But study what? So I took to the road and adventured out  into the world. After some travelling I ended up back in Dublin working with my mother. While this had its challenges, there were more gifts. She had heard of the Alexander Technique and felt it was time we both did something about our posture . So off we went. For several months we enjoyed our weekly lessons with Frank Kennedy , a very experienced teacher and the first man to bring the technique to Ireland. I was feeling good but I wanted to know more. So Frank sent me to Richard Brennan  for one of his weekend intensive workshops in Galway.

At the course in Galway I was blown away. I found the logic behind the work simply amazing. Richard's way of explaining made everything seem easy. How we humans work and all that I was doing, excessively, was a revelation to me. So I took the neccessary steps and enrolled to become a teacher.

The next 3 years were a wonderful, eye-opening, revealing look at my body, my thinking and all the ways I used myself. My physical appearance changed as muscles released their memories and found new places to be. My body became more balanced. It was a tough, enlightening journey through change and learning, and I value every minute of it. The years since have been as much of an education as I rediscovered what the technique is all about through the eyes of my students, and without the safety net that was the school. I have pursued my studies where ever I travel, having visited teachers in America, Israel, Australia, France, UK and on continual professional development here in Ireland.

My body has gone through a complete overhaul. I gained an inch in height as I allowed my torso to lengthen, let my shoulders release and send my weight through my legs, releasing my back and hips. This will all make sense when you have the experience yourself. I am confident in myself and enjoy walking tall and looking good. Baggy shirts and jeans have been binned as I'm proud to wear clothes that show off my figure. I am calm and better able to make decisions. My reflexes aren't constantly fired up so I can respond thoughtfully rather than react, which happened a lot during the more stressful years. I have more energy. I don't get tired driving like I used to, and my soccer playing improved. I can also wear a pair of heels with confidence. In the past this was an impossibility, when flat manly boots were all I wore. They seem like little things but it's the little things that bring the joy to life. The little things are easy to change so that the bigger picture flows.

I reccommend the Alexander Technique for anyone's life. I believe we can all gain from learning a bit more about ourselves. And the beauty of it is we can apply it to anything and everything we do. It is an investment in ME! In freedom in my body and mind and all that is subsequently effected. And if I'm not worth it, what is?

So since my Alexander Technique training I've delved a little further. I am always learning and you can see what I'm interested in on the page called Other Stuff.

So my tool belt is equipped with techniques to invite change into a life of pain or disharmony, improve performance and ability, or de-stress and relax. We have taken years to become who we are today, so it may take some time to adjust and change habits to aim ourselves in the way of ease. As you learn these tools you can apply them to yourself. It takes listening and is experiential, and so is exciting and allows opportunities unthought of. We are powerful beyond our wildest dreams! And if you believe that, anything can happen.

I would like to use this space to thank my mother for introducing me to the path I'm on. (I'm not sure if I chose this path or it chose me.) For her support and direction in all I do. And to Dad for listening and learning and advising, in his sceptical but allowing way. Thank you. I love you both.

To all my loving and supportive friends and family. Forgive me my foibles and thank you for just being there, here, where ever.

And I wish to send love to all the interesting people I am sure to meet now that I am a modern part of the world wide web. Welcome to my world. I look forward to meeting you, in real life or cyberspace.

Love

Fiona  2008

PS In May 2009 I walked all 26.2 miles of a marathon. Something I never thought I could do or was even interested in. And definitely not something I would have enjoyed. Who'd have thought lazy old me would actually enjoy walking all day. And I recovered quickly. I am constantly being surprised by all I am capable of, and how easy things are once you get out of your own way.

If I can do this YOU certainly can do anything you wish.