Testimonials
Antonia Smyth, Melbourne
I would highly recommend Cathy for anyone interested in learning more about Alexander Technique.
I came to it following a six-month period of recurrent tension headaches which are now completely gone after working with Cathy.
She is a considered and encouraging teacher who has helped me understand how to be more in tune with my body.
Rory Faithfield, Dublin, Ireland, and Sydney, Australia
Heather Stewart, Coburg, Melbourne, Australia, and Paris, France
I’ve been a student of Alexander Technique for twenty years with intense periods of study and many years without. I’ve studied with Janet Davies, Helen Mountfort, Karen Wentworth (UK) and masterclasses at the Walter Carrington school.
Following a week intensive with Cathy while she was visiting Paris, I learned a great deal and was able to reconnect my previous study with a clearer and renewed understanding.
Cathy gave clear explanations of movements and practise methods to understand and check my body use.
I highly recommend Cathy Dowden as an excellent Alexander Technique teacher.
Bruce Rigby, Melbourne
I highly recommend Cathy and Alexander Technique. When I started a course of lessons with Cathy I suffered mild chronic pain in my right hip. Visits to the doctor, an x-ray and six months of physio hadn’t helped much of an impression. Next step was to be two months of targeted gym work.
Cathy helped me to realise the way I was walking was having a jarring effect on my body and not fully exercising my leg muscles. I adjusted my gait and could immediately feel muscles around the hip adjusting. The pain started to fade and was gone not long after. I now walk more lightly on the earth and never had to submit to two months of gym work!
Vera Lazarevic, Melbourne
Thank you Cathy for sharing with me your knowledge of the Alexander Technique. I am now more aware of how to use my body, whether it's sit to stand; getting out of bed, walking and holding my posture correctly whilst doing everyday tasks whilst standing, bending or lifting. The result has been pain relief and less stress on the body in general and particularly on my knees and lower back. I feel more in tune with my 60 year old body. Thanks Cathy for been patient, thoughtful, considerate and kind. Highly recommend.
Katie, Yarram
I came to the Alexander Technique over a decade ago because I was frustrated that I kept losing my voice. My Alexander Technique teacher worked with me to fix the problem then asked, “Why are you protecting your pelvis?”
I had never mentioned my old injury or that I still struggled with pain and weakness in that area. I swear Alexander Technique teachers have a sixth sense! Once my voice returned, we worked on my post-injury issues and through the application of Alexander Technique, I managed to achieve a pain-free life.
I continued with regular lessons (pain-free living – I was hooked!) and went on to have two more children. Alexander Technique lessons
helped me to manage the pelvic instability and lack of mobility associated with late pregnancy. They also played an important role in helping me recover well from caesarean sections. However, I still struggled with being able to raise my arms above my shoulders without causing physical distress. My regular teacher suggested I book in with Cathy for a Zoom lesson or two.
Zoom lessons were much more effective than I expected and allowed me to learn from someone geographically far away. I noticed benefit from my first lesson so booked a series of lessons so I could build on and consolidate what Cathy was teaching me. Cathy taught me many new techniques for loosening up my back, shoulders and neck.
Cathy is an excellent listener who remembers what you say then personalizes her teaching based on what you’ve told her. She is non-judgemental with an encouraging and gentle approach. Cathy has provided me with practical strategies that can be implemented immediately whilst supporting me to explore my own body and own solutions.
I have felt (and seen) excellent results from implementing Cathy’s advice and suggestions. I can now hang out washing easily, reach into high cupboards and wash and blow-dry my hair without effort – all activities I struggle with before meeting Cathy. As a direct result of Cathy’s teaching, I now have a much greater understanding of what flares up my body and how to quickly and effectively settle it back down again.
John Starr, Chiropractor, Melbourne & Bendigo
“As a musculoskeletal focused chiropractor, I find the Alexander Technique a valuable referral. It helps patients develop awareness and has specific tools to reduce patient’s functional stress patterns and functional movement patterns that no other technique offers”
Moreland Health Group Creek St Chiropractic
Jane Belfrage, Melbourne
Cathy's wonderful sense of humour and her professional skills. I give a 100% recommendation for Cathy Dowden Alexander Technique!
Chloe Sparks, Melbourne
Thank you so much Cathy! Learning some new techniques and ideas with you online was really valuable.
I reached out to Cathy for some tips for managing extra tension I am feeling from both my job and study now being online. I felt that learning in my own space was really helpful in some surprising ways – I could really feel what was happening with my body, I was able to apply the experience to my own surroundings, and Cathy and I were still able to connect to each other really well.
The use of visual aid, such as the skeleton prop, was a great way to demonstrate movement and it really stuck with me! I felt very supported by Cathy's teaching and encouragement, and I am looking forward to learning more!
Sally Ford, Carlton North, Melbourne
I was introduced to Alexander Technique many years ago and have attended workshops with various teachers. I have also had many private sessions, again with different teachers and most recently with Cathy Dowden.
I have found the principles of AT have been extremely useful in my music practice. Just to hear the primary directions reminds me and my body to let go, to let be and to let the body do what it was designed to do. That said, when I am singing or holding and/or playing a saxophone or a flute in rehearsal it is easier to be mindful and to practice AT.
Once I am on stage I am in another space performing where AT is not foremost in my mind.
However when I saw Cathy in the audience at a recent gig my AT knowledge was triggered in a very positive way.
I still practice semi-supine with my head on books and find it terrifically restorative. Great for when I am on tour.
Amanda Place, Thornbury.
Cathy provides a safe and inclusive space. She encourages participants to share and learn, and the pace of discovery is just right. I left feeling very relaxed and more in-tune with my posture and breathing. Her tuition stayed with me right through the next week – useful practices that I could easily employ moment by moment.
Judith Faye Hall, Melbourne
Cathy is tuned in, supportive and communicates clearly and flexibly. Really shifted my focus and understanding.
Carmel, Pascoe Vale, Melbourne
“The introductory course in the Alexander Technique is a wonderful way to think about how to use our bodies wisely”
Peter, retired scientist, Brunswick West, Melbourne
“I have enjoyed your sessions and picked up some useful perspectives.
Maybe the most useful is to hold the head loosely rather than straining to hold it up. Over the years I had lost that natural ability.”
Pauline, Brunswick, Melbourne
Thank you for the classes. I am taking away a better awareness of my posture and my connection to the ground as well as an easier way to get back up from the ground.”
Carmel, Pascoe Vale, Melbourne
“The introductory course in the Alexander Technique is a wonderful way to think about how to use our bodies wisely”
Catherine from Melbourne is 75 years old - and encourages people to think about re-learning at any age!
“Lengthen the spine, soften the neck, widen the back for more space for the breath.” Every morning for ten weeks, Cathy’s words (or my version of them) was my mantra as I sat and settled into Quaker worship at a learning and retreat centre recently. Cathy’s teaching has helped me in so many aspects of my life; learning where my “hinges” are to help me do my physio exercises with a better form, becoming more aware of balance and posture when walking with a backpack (up and down steps), walking with Nordic poles. When I found an unexpected healing insight into an old trauma, she understood how this might affect my body, and could work with that too. Cathy works with the whole person, works gently and explains clearly,
Private lessons
Cathy is a very caring and knowledgeable Alexander Technique teacher who has taught me a lot and saved my back by teaching me how to bend properly! Very grateful ☺️
Private lessons, Group classes
Card message from Colleen
Many thanks Cathy, A revelation the calming effects of supported lying down!
Intro workshop at Festival
Pauline, Brunswick, Melbourne
Thank you for the classes. I am taking away a better awareness of my posture and my connection to the ground as well as an easier way to get back up from the ground.”
Pat, Northcote.
I wasn’t sure what to expect at my first Alexander Technique session with Cathy. Of course, I did some initial research and thought there would be something to explore about my posture, and that this would support my physical training regime at my gym. As an older woman, I have been motivated to maximise my health and fitness, and Cathy and I talked about how Alexander Technique could support my aims.
From the first session with Cathy, I could see that there is much more that Alexander Technique offers. Alexander Technique has given me a practical insight into how to use my body, its physical structure and the part that plays in being able to undertake just about everything. That first session was a defining experience, and subsequent sessions with Cathy have enabled me to reflect, embrace and relax with my body as I build on its core. Cathy’s teaching skills have guided me in improving my physical fitness exercises, my work in the garden, my preparation in the kitchen, and I have to admit, even driving the car.
Our sessions have been productive, focused and practical, based on Cathy’s professional and smart teaching methods. Cathy listens, guides, reflects, demonstrates and importantly, encourages me to build a better understanding and commitment to myself.
Private lessons