After outing my Self, I asked you to write in with your secret.

I got a few, but here’s one that touched me…

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My Alexander secret is that I haven't solved my neck and back tension problem at my pharmacy work (I'm a community pharmacist as well). That makes me think that I can't be a good teacher. That also makes me doubt the whole Alexander discovery.

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Are teachers supposed to be free of pain? No-one told me that. I certainly am not.

Talking about secrets.

Last night I “outed” my Self – I exposed my secret life. Did you?

It was invigorating, uplifting and liberating.

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The day started with a trainee in tears in my ATSuccess class, sharing her secret fear. She admitted to being frightened of joining Facebook because “I might be attacked”. As she shared her ‘secret’ with us, she got freer.

“Secrets” will cause head/spinal dysfunction.

I had to lie to get my first acting job.

I landed a part in Jack Hibberd’s Dimboola – one of Australia’s most successful plays. Trouble was, I was still only 17.

So I instantly became 18, just like that.

Back in those days, things were lazier. Trust was stronger. I said was 18, that was good enough for everyone. I was in!

Boy was I nervous on the opening night. Shaking.

It happened twice.

Two different people. Different days. Same result.

We are walking along the river, talking about a myriad of topics, in a free-flowing conversation. We jump from one topic to another – laughing, scowling, celebrating, worrying – it’s hard to keep track.

You know those kind of conversations?

I am usually the one who says “What was I saying?” Then some young thing quickly recites a full list of the last five ideas and how they connected.

Except, I was the young thing this time.

People come to us in pain, full of theories why.

Most of them wrong.

As purveyors of Alexander's discovery, we know the hidden habit that dictates the pain students are experiencing.

And the reason is shocking in its simplicity.

You are co-ordinating your actions by increasing your downward moving contractions of head/spine and arms – reverse that, all will be better.

People look at us like we are mad. What are you talking about?

I have a confession to make.

My original motivation for creating my 2 year certificate course in “BodyThinking” was fear of what would happen if I didn’t. It was 2003 and I was worried.

Fear is not always a negative thing: running away from a fire is clever.

Here’s the story of the fire I was running away from…

Lap dogs send you emails with questions like: is there anything I can do???

They look up to you, with unblinking loyal eyes, hungry for their Master’s voice.

Roaring Lions send you emails with judgements: what do you think you’re doing!!!

You want to surround yourself with roaring lions, not lap dogs.

Lap dogs are wonderful, reaffirming, great for your ego and totally useless at helping you to evolve towards your wish. Roaring lions are difficult, challenging to your ego and totally useful in helping you evolve towards your wish.

“Rafferty Rules” was the biggest day in my little 5 year old life.

It happened on Fridays, I don’t remember much more. All I remember is that Dad said I could do…

ANYTHING: Rafferty Rules = There Are No Rules (Wow)

To my magical baby mind, that was, like – incomprehensible. Anything? I can do anything? What will I do? I know, stay up late. Which was about all I could think of (since in those days no one was obsessed about sugar intakes).

On a Skype this week with an AT Teacher*, he told me a wonderful story.

It was about a student – call her Marie – who was also a long-time friend. Of course Marie knew about his AT work, but she had never been much interested.

Then one day, out of the blue, Marie called…

“Look, I don’t want to learn Alexander Technique…”

(rather puzzling he thought)

“… but can you help me cross the street?”

It confirms a growing belief I have about our future – most people don’t care.

A really interesting thing what happened last year in London.

As background – it was during the time we staged ATSuccess’ first foray into live workshops. The ATSuccess London Symposium essentially embodied our core message:

Package Alexander's discovery to a specific group of people.

Your “niche” as the marketing lore goes.

There were 7 different events on offer, and over 50 teachers got involved. Huge success. Now I start to introduce the interesting thing: