Milburn Pupils give a lead in beating posture problems

Pupils at an Eden primary school are leading the way in reducing future back and posture problems in line with recommendations recently put forward in Parliament.

Infants at Milburn Primary School have been having fortnightly Alexander Technique sessions with local practitioner Julie Parker since September. The move comes amid recommendations in a Parliamentary Early Day Motion calling for Government action to address the problems of adolescent back pain and poor posture contributed to in schools.

Julie, who practises privately from her home in Eastgate, Milburn, and also at temple Sowerby Medical Practice, has developed games, puppet stories and characters Terry Tall and Digby Down to help the children understand how their posture can affect them both physically and emotionally.

“The children really enjoy it. It was really helpful that the teacher, teaching assistant and helper had all had Alexander lessons, so they could help the children think about it and continue the principles in the classroom,” said Julie.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Julie gained a BSc in mathematics from the University of Cape Town and worked in business and finance, in both Cape Town and London, before training as an Alexander Technique practitioner. Prompted by continued back and neck pain, constant headaches and a desire to work with the body, Julie undertook a three-year course, again split between London and Cape Town.

The Alexander Technique develop-ed more than 100 years ago, helps millions of people across the world to overcome problems such as muscle tension and stiffness, back, neck and joint pain, poor posture, breathing and vocal problems, anxiety and stress-related conditions.

Elegance
The Technique is said to help improve performance and prevent injury in music, drama and sport, enhance business and presentation skills, develop ease and elegance in movement, and support pregnancy and childbirth.

After qualifying, Julie established her own practice in London, and also worked in a Harley street clinic for BP, and with Johnson and Johnson pharmaceuticals, before moving to Cumbria in 1997.

Julie, who lives in Milburn with her husband Richard and six-year old daughter Anna, is also beginning new introductory day workshops this month designed to introduce adults to Alexander Technique. In the workshops Julie will explain the principles and demonstrate how good use leads to ease and poise while habitual misuse, which people are often unaware of, leads to pain and tension.

Technique
They will be held at Eastgate barn tomorrow and Julie describes the workshops as “an opportunity to find out what the Technique is about and how it can help”.

She is also offering a special Alexander Technique and ski four-day course, with participants staying in a catered chalet in Morzine/Avoriaz, France. The course is to run alongside one by professional ski instructor Annie Donovan who teaches in the Alps and lives in Penruddock seasonally.

The courses are aimed at reducing the element of fear of skiing and will apply the principles of Alexander Technique to make skiers more agile and flexible, improving their styles.

For more information about the courses or individual sessions, Julie can be contacted on 0784 1712942.