Reviews

The lessons with Doris are a pleasant resting point in the week. Doris always has all the time and attention of the world, and she radiates tranquility. She teaches the lessons in a not dogmatic way with a great sense of humour.

I came to Doris with the question: will it be possible for me to play the cello without shoulder pain? In fact, my question was broader than that, because I didn’t just have shoulder pain when I played the cello but also for instance when I worked on the computer. The course with Doris has made me much more conscious of what’s happening in my body and what things I do unconsciously, for instance tensing up my muscles unnecessarily. I discovered that the problem is not in playing the cello, but I my posture during other activities like my work. Through the lessons with Doris, I learned to pay attention to my posture and how I use my body throughout the day. Doris let me experience how body and mind are connected. Alexander technique is about the body and the spine in particular but can also be applied to the mental domain. For instance, I became aware that it is better to ‘stop’ every now and then, which means to

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Volledige review “The lessons with Doris are a pleasant resting point in the week. Doris always has all the time and attention of the world, and she radiates tranquility. She teaches the lessons in a not dogmatic way with a great sense of humour.”

Marjolein, psychiatrist

Personal and warm

Doris has a very personal and warm style of teaching. She is direct and honest, but in an encouraging and loving way, so you never get the feeling you are doing something wrong. That was very supportive and refreshing for me, as I don’t often encounter that as a musician. She also shares openly about her own experience, which made me feel very much at ease.

Cèlia, musician

After a lesson I always feel very relaxed and light. My mind is much clearer, and I am more focused.

I started with Alexander technique lessons because I realized that I had a lot of tension in my body while playing the cello. Also, my practicing was not efficient. Through the lessons with Doris, a whole new world opened up for me of body awareness. I became conscious of the tension and bad habits I had while playing the cello. But moreover, the lessons had a huge impact on my daily life: they strengthened the connection between my body and mind and helped me to release stress. During the lessons, Doris guides me so that I can release all unnecessary tension in my body. She does this by actively observing and giving simple instrucions. After a lesson I always feel very relaxed and light. My mind is much clearer, and I am more focused. If you are looking for a healthy relationship between your body and your instrument, I certainly recommend Alexander technique!

Laura, musician

I have much more energy since I started the lessons; I have the feeling I simply get more air in my lungs.

My cello teacher advised me to take lessons in the Alexander technique with Doris. My shoulders were too stuck. My cello teacher mentioned that it could benefit other parts of my life as well. Through the Alexander technique I learned to build up less unnecessary tension when I’m doing an activity, and also to breath more easily. I have much more energy since I started the lessons; I have the feeling I simply get more air in my lungs. I am much calmer now when I play the cello and it sounds much better. My singing lessons also have made much more progress since I started practicing the Alexander technique!

Jacobien, amateur musician

Doris is very sensitive in her approach, always very friendly and positive, never forceful or dogmatic. With her, I can immediately relax. She allows me to discover things by myself where needed, without making a point of it – I think that’s fantastic!

I came to Doris because I had a big challenge ahead of me as a cellist and I wanted to learn to play in a way that was as relaxed as possible. I knew that my challenge could easily lead to tension. By practicing very diligently with the Alexander technique and after many lessons and an intense summer week in France, I now feel that I already have a handle on which I can trust, and I can relax more and play my music much more freely. I’m not ‘locked up in myself’ anymore but have an overview from the outside. I can and dare to play in a more relaxed way, with a more positive attitude! And generally, I notice that I check more often how I move and behave in all kinds of situations. Alexander technique offers very effective help with that. Doris is very sensitive in her approach, always very friendly and positive, never forceful, or dogmatic. With her, I can immediately relax. She allows me to

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Volledige review “Doris is very sensitive in her approach, always very friendly and positive, never forceful or dogmatic. With her, I can immediately relax. She allows me to discover things by myself where needed, without making a point of it – I think that’s fantastic!”

Susanne, musician

Actually, everyone should practice the Alexander technique because we all have (unconscious) habits which cause pain or at least stand in the way of our full potential.

I came to Doris with so much pain that even walking to the bus stop was an adventure. Already after a few lessons, the pain was completely forgotten. As a musician I noticed very soon that all elements of my playing became better coordinated because of how Alexander technique organizes the body. I now experience moments where everything happens by itself when I play and… it even works when everything is not ‘perfect’.

Alexandra, musician