Teaching the Alexander Technique to People Living with Hypermobility: An Interview with Julie Barber
ASO - Edition 68
Working together to enable greater understanding of the Alexander Technique through disciplined inquiry.
Introduction
In our 68th ASO newsletter, we release the first part of our conversation with Alexander teacher, Julie Barber who talks about the extensive work she has done within the profession to bring about a greater understanding of how we can safely and effectively teach people living with the challenges of hypermobility.
Our conversation is in two parts. This first episode explores the family circumstances that first brought Julie to an understanding of the challenges facing people living with hypermobility. Over the years she has striven to increase both her own and the Alexander teaching profession’s understanding and expertise in working with people living with hypermobility. Here, she provides a comprehensive overview of the many types and presentations of hypermobility. She begins to explore the role that Alexander Technique teaching can play in helping people living with hypermobility – a theme that will be continued in the next episode.
Additional Resources
Notes for Alexander teachers working with people living with hypermobility – a handout from Julie Barber. A downloadable PDF.
Only connect: Working with hypermobility. An article by Julie Barber and Carolyn Nicholls published in Alexander Journal #28. https://tinyurl.com/yuv246mw
The Beighton Score: https://www.ehlersdanlos.org/diagnosis/beighton-score/
The Hypermobility Syndromes Association - The HMSA https://www.hypermobility.org
The Ehlers-Danlos Society: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com
About
Julie Barber, is an Alexander Technique teacher based in London who has done extensive work in the field of Alexander teaching for people living with hypermobility. As well as her many years of teaching experience, she’s been active in running CPD training for Alexander teachers, through workshops and articles, all with the aim of increasing teachers’ understanding, skills and confidence in working with people living with hypermobility.
Julia Woodman, PhD is part of the ASO team.
Thank you
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