Alexandrova technika

Sarka Provaznikova...

is an experienced and skillful teacher of the Alexander Technique, having completed three years of training at the Alexander Technique College in Brighton, UK. She first discovered the Alexander Technique through her interests in dance, movement theatre, tai chi and yoga, and after having suffered for many years from back problems. The Alexander Technique helped her to such an extent that she was motivated to become a teacher and share the technique with others.

She runs a private practice in Prague and works with dancers, musicians, actors, and others who seek to benefit from greater awareness and more healthful treatment of their bodies. Sarka has conducted workshops for actors at the Prague Film School and for public speakers, and also has experience coordinating the Alexander Technique and yoga. The technique has also helped her to learn tango and to better adapt her body to the dance.

The Alexander Technique is a unique form of health education which will teach you to become more aware of posture and movement problems that interfere with everyday life.

It can help with:

– Managing back, neck and shoulder problems
– Handling stress
– Enhancing performance
– Improving balance
– Regulating breathing
– RSI problems

What happens in a lesson?

Sarka employs clear explanations and a gentle touch in each one-on-one session. The lessons involve simple movements and techniques to improve balance, coordination, and help release excess tension, as well as focusing on particular problems. Give it a try!

praxe

Testimonials

Having practised yoga for a number of years, I had heard about the Alexander technique and how it could complement yoga exercises. I wanted to learn more about it. I also knew Sarka personally, and was confident that she would be a professional, but also empathetic teacher, tuned in to my needs and responses.
Sarka was always calm, non-judgemental, respectful – I never felt pressured or uncomfortable during the Alexander technique sessions.

full text...

I definitely got much more from my two years of lessons than I had expected, although it took some time to truly appreciate the real benefits. As I had been going through some unhappiness and emotional stress, I found that the lessons gave me a profound sense of release and rest. My body had accumulated so much stress, which I had ignored. The Alexander technique allowed me to recognise that I was very tense, and helped me to let the tension go.
In addition, over time, I gained a much greater awareness of my posture and I had a memory from the sessions of how it felt to sit or stand at ease. Sarka was very precise in her adjustment of posture, patiently and repeatedly guiding me to stand or sit in the ‘Alexander technique’ way. This repetition was necessary in order for me now to hold a memory of what the position felt like. I now recognise when I am tensing muscles unnecessarily, or standing in an ‘unbalanced’ way. This is thanks to Sarka’s patient instruction. I truly believe that I got much more out of the Alexander technique lessons with Sarka than I could possibly have realised at the start of the lessons. The Alexander technique is not a quick fix; it is a way of heightening one’s awareness of the body, and by association, of the mind’s activities, as well. I am very glad that I had a professional teacher and a warm, accepting personality in Sarka. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for an Alexander technique practitioner.

Eleanor (an English teacher)

. . .

I started AT lessons with Sarka recently and can highly recommend her. I have to admit I didn't know much about the Alexander Technique beforehand, and started going more out of curiosity than because I have a particular problem, but I am already convinced that it could be of great benefit to a lot of people and could help prevent back and neck pain developing in the future. After just a few lessons I already feel much more conscious of my body, as well as of how I was misusing it previously, and also feel I'm walking taller and standing/sitting straighter. It's really interesting, because when you attend her sessions the work she does on you seems so subtle, and yet the after-effects are quite dramatic.

full text...

I'm also hoping it will help me with speaking in public because I have a book coming out soon and know I'm going to have to do readings etc – I could benefit from anything that will give me more confidence in doing this because I'm definitely not someone who enjoys public speaking. :-)

So, anyway, Sarka is LOVELY, and if you're suffering from back pain, want extra confidence in public speaking, are suffering from back problems during pregnancy etc etc, or just want to learn how to look after your body better, then I would definitely recommend you think about giving the Alexander Technique a try.

Clare Wigfall (a writer, 2007)

. . .

I have been studying the Alexander Technique for several years with several teachers having first discovered it in the UK through my father’s interest in the technique who paid for me to have a lesson many years ago. As a result of persistent neck and back pain as well as the results of several sporting injuries I initially revisited the technique a few years ago and have been studying the technique since first in the UK with a number of teachers. I have since continued to study with Sarka since moving to Prague over two years ago.

full text...

Having already studied with several different teachers I have had experience in some of the different approaches to the technique which always depend upon the individual doing the teaching, the student, and the subsequent working relationship formed between them. I found Sarka to be a very sympathetic teacher in this regard with both a willingness and enthusiasm to work using any number of mediums and exercises to help me experience good usage and to apply this to every facet of both my professional and personal life. She is a very intuitive person and this is reflected in her ability to work with the student on a level that he or she understands in order to best develop their application and knowledge of the technique. What is most refreshing and important for someone like myself who has been studying the technique for some time is that she is always introducing new ideas and exercises and does not rely on any single approach to the teaching of the technique, of which there are many. This means that she is both versatile and in my opinion very rounded as a teacher.

During our continued work together we continue to look at all kinds of things relating to the general benefits of the technique which are helping me with my professional life which involves a lot of travel and can lead to bad habitual use as a result of sitting in planes, cars, working with computers and carrying heavy luggage etc. As well as this we have recently been using Tai Chi and Chi Kung as a medium in applying the technique which I also study and has opened up my understanding and enjoyment of this martial art to a whole new level. The application of the technique to my piano playing has helped no end and also to my other hobby which is running. I now am able to run in a much more efficient and enjoyable way which has lead to me not sustaining any injuries for some time as well less muscle fatigue all round.

Although the technique is a practical and physical (albeit through thought) practise you also discover all kinds of experiences as you journey through your path to better usage. A better understanding of what triggers stress and pain both physical and mental as well as a better understanding of the physiology of the body and how it operates. The overall result can be quite awe inspiring and may even lead to you making big as well as small changes to your life as one of the benefits of the technique is that you can discover what is important in your life and what is not. The great thing about the technique though, is that you don’t necessarily have to apply it to your whole life as it can be used as little or as much as you like to help even one aspect, action or interest that you might have such as singing, a sport, how you sit at your desk to work or even something as simple as how you brush your teeth! The fact is that it helps anything involving movement.

To anyone not familiar with the technique you could not ask for a better teacher than Sarka to give you your first introduction to this incredible practice. If you suffer from muscular pain, repetitive strain injuries, problems from old injuries, stress and fatigue or whether you have an interest in any sport, dance, acting or music and are intrigued you simply must have a lesson with her and experience for yourself the freedom of better movement and good usage.

To anyone looking to continue their studies you will find in Sarka an extremely versatile and experienced teacher and a person with a very intuitive and sympathetic nature who is perfect in helping you to explore in further detail the wonderful world of Alexander!

David (business traveller, musician and part time runner)

. . .

I've been taking Alexander lessons with Šárka for some time now. There was a tremendous benefit from my very first Alexander lesson; I left completely free of pain and tension – almost as if I was floating! The lessons helped me learn to consciously undo previously involuntary muscle tension which had been causing me daily aches and pain. The lessons help me more than physical therapy and acupuncture combined! When I diligently apply the lessons in my daily life, I'm not only able to recognize my previously involuntary responses to stress, but I'm actually able to reverse these responses and prevent the pain before it happens! Šárka is a pleasure to work with. She is always patient and kind and light-hearted. Her lessons have increased my quality of life immeasurably. Highly recommended!

Julie

. . .

After having Alexander-lessons with Sarka for nine months I feel like I have got a new body. I have radically less headaches and I just feel really comfortable in my body. I'm less stressed and it's easier to concentrate now when I'm in control of my body, not the other way around. It was always a joy to have a lesson with Šárka, she's really warm hearted person and I always felt that my reactions and feelings were ok. I have recommended her too many of my friends living in Prague.

Virve Lou (finish student)




		Sarka Provaznikova... is an experienced and skillful teacher of the Alexander Technique, having completed three years of training at the Alexander Technique College in Brighton, UK. She first discovered the Alexander Technique through her interests in dance, movement theatre, tai chi and yoga, and after having suffered for many years from back problems. The Alexander Technique helped her to such an extent that she was motivated to become a teacher and share the technique with others. She runs a private practice in Prague and works with dancers, musicians, actors, and others who seek to benefit from greater awareness and more healthful treatment of their bodies. Sarka has conducted workshops for actors at the Prague Film School and for public speakers, and also has experience coordinating the Alexander Technique and yoga. The technique has also helped her to learn tango and to better adapt her body to the dance. The Alexander Technique is a unique form of health education which will teach you to become more aware of posture and movement problems that interfere with everyday life. It can help with: – Managing back, neck and shoulder problems – Handling stress – Enhancing performance – Improving balance – Regulating breathing – RSI problems What happens in a lesson? Sarka employs clear explanations and a gentle touch in each one-on-one session. The lessons involve simple movements and techniques to improve balance, coordination, and help release excess tension, as well as focusing on particular problems. Give it a try! Testimonials Having practised yoga for a number of years, I had heard about the Alexander technique and how it could complement yoga exercises. I wanted to learn more about it. I also knew Sarka personally, and was confident that she would be a professional, but also empathetic teacher, tuned in to my needs and responses. Sarka was always calm, non-judgemental, respectful – I never felt pressured or uncomfortable during the Alexander technique sessions. full text... I definitely got much more from my two years of lessons than I had expected, although it took some time to truly appreciate the real benefits. As I had been going through some unhappiness and emotional stress, I found that the lessons gave me a profound sense of release and rest. My body had accumulated so much stress, which I had ignored. The Alexander technique allowed me to recognise that I was very tense, and helped me to let the tension go. In addition, over time, I gained a much greater awareness of my posture and I had a memory from the sessions of how it felt to sit or stand at ease. Sarka was very precise in her adjustment of posture, patiently and repeatedly guiding me to stand or sit in the ‘Alexander technique’ way. This repetition was necessary in order for me now to hold a memory of what the position felt like. I now recognise when I am tensing muscles unnecessarily, or standing in an ‘unbalanced’ way. This is thanks to Sarka’s patient instruction. I truly believe that I got much more out of the Alexander technique lessons with Sarka than I could possibly have realised at the start of the lessons. The Alexander technique is not a quick fix; it is a way of heightening one’s awareness of the body, and by association, of the mind’s activities, as well. I am very glad that I had a professional teacher and a warm, accepting personality in Sarka. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for an Alexander technique practitioner. *Eleanor* (an English teacher) . . . I started AT lessons with Sarka recently and can highly recommend her. I have to admit I didn't know much about the Alexander Technique beforehand, and started going more out of curiosity than because I have a particular problem, but I am already convinced that it could be of great benefit to a lot of people and could help prevent back and neck pain developing in the future. After just a few lessons I already feel much more conscious of my body, as well as of how I was misusing it previously, and also feel I'm walking taller and standing/sitting straighter. It's really interesting, because when you attend her sessions the work she does on you seems so subtle, and yet the after-effects are quite dramatic. full text... I'm also hoping it will help me with speaking in public because I have a book coming out soon and know I'm going to have to do readings etc – I could benefit from anything that will give me more confidence in doing this because I'm definitely not someone who enjoys public speaking. :-) So, anyway, Sarka is LOVELY, and if you're suffering from back pain, want extra confidence in public speaking, are suffering from back problems during pregnancy etc etc, or just want to learn how to look after your body better, then I would definitely recommend you think about giving the Alexander Technique a try. Clare Wigfall (a writer, 2007) . . . I have been studying the Alexander Technique for several years with several teachers having first discovered it in the UK through my father’s interest in the technique who paid for me to have a lesson many years ago. As a result of persistent neck and back pain as well as the results of several sporting injuries I initially revisited the technique a few years ago and have been studying the technique since first in the UK with a number of teachers. I have since continued to study with Sarka since moving to Prague over two years ago. full text... Having already studied with several different teachers I have had experience in some of the different approaches to the technique which always depend upon the individual doing the teaching, the student, and the subsequent working relationship formed between them. I found Sarka to be a very sympathetic teacher in this regard with both a willingness and enthusiasm to work using any number of mediums and exercises to help me experience good usage and to apply this to every facet of both my professional and personal life. She is a very intuitive person and this is reflected in her ability to work with the student on a level that he or she understands in order to best develop their application and knowledge of the technique. What is most refreshing and important for someone like myself who has been studying the technique for some time is that she is always introducing new ideas and exercises and does not rely on any single approach to the teaching of the technique, of which there are many. This means that she is both versatile and in my opinion very rounded as a teacher. During our continued work together we continue to look at all kinds of things relating to the general benefits of the technique which are helping me with my professional life which involves a lot of travel and can lead to bad habitual use as a result of sitting in planes, cars, working with computers and carrying heavy luggage etc. As well as this we have recently been using Tai Chi and Chi Kung as a medium in applying the technique which I also study and has opened up my understanding and enjoyment of this martial art to a whole new level. The application of the technique to my piano playing has helped no end and also to my other hobby which is running. I now am able to run in a much more efficient and enjoyable way which has lead to me not sustaining any injuries for some time as well less muscle fatigue all round. Although the technique is a practical and physical (albeit through thought) practise you also discover all kinds of experiences as you journey through your path to better usage. A better understanding of what triggers stress and pain both physical and mental as well as a better understanding of the physiology of the body and how it operates. The overall result can be quite awe inspiring and may even lead to you making big as well as small changes to your life as one of the benefits of the technique is that you can discover what is important in your life and what is not. The great thing about the technique though, is that you don’t necessarily have to apply it to your whole life as it can be used as little or as much as you like to help even one aspect, action or interest that you might have such as singing, a sport, how you sit at your desk to work or even something as simple as how you brush your teeth! The fact is that it helps anything involving movement. To anyone not familiar with the technique you could not ask for a better teacher than Sarka to give you your first introduction to this incredible practice. If you suffer from muscular pain, repetitive strain injuries, problems from old injuries, stress and fatigue or whether you have an interest in any sport, dance, acting or music and are intrigued you simply must have a lesson with her and experience for yourself the freedom of better movement and good usage. To anyone looking to continue their studies you will find in Sarka an extremely versatile and experienced teacher and a person with a very intuitive and sympathetic nature who is perfect in helping you to explore in further detail the wonderful world of Alexander! David (business traveller, musician and part time runner) . . . I've been taking Alexander lessons with Šárka for some time now. There was a tremendous benefit from my very first Alexander lesson; I left completely free of pain and tension – almost as if I was floating! The lessons helped me learn to consciously undo previously involuntary muscle tension which had been causing me daily aches and pain. The lessons help me more than physical therapy and acupuncture combined! When I diligently apply the lessons in my daily life, I'm not only able to recognize my previously involuntary responses to stress, but I'm actually able to reverse these responses and prevent the pain before it happens! Šárka is a pleasure to work with. She is always patient and kind and light-hearted. Her lessons have increased my quality of life immeasurably. Highly recommended! Julie . . . After having Alexander-lessons with Sarka for nine months I feel like I have got a new body. I have radically less headaches and I just feel really comfortable in my body. I'm less stressed and it's easier to concentrate now when I'm in control of my body, not the other way around. It was always a joy to have a lesson with Šárka, she's really warm hearted person and I always felt that my reactions and feelings were ok. I have recommended her too many of my friends living in Prague. Virve Lou (finish student)