Alexander Technique and dance improvisation  

"What does the Alexander Technique mean to me? I feel a new quality of awareness within me as I learn to adopt new postures in life, to walk, stand, sit and lie in a new way. It reveals within me the wonder of my body and its joints combined with a wonderful expansion and depth of awareness within and without, and a newly felt freedom and dignity in how I treat myself. I love taking time to pause and become aware of my beingness. I enter into a mental communication with myself, my neck, spine, shoulders, hips, etc. In doing so, I observe myself and feel a subtle uprightness within me that I experience as part of the sincerity of the life within me. I have been taking AT classes at ZAYT for a little over a month and sometimes attend the open class on Friday mornings. "

Iris, June 2019

Alexander Technique and dance improvisation

"The Alexander Technique opens my body to new movements, allowing it to become soft and alive. Focusing on specific anatomical areas lets me discover the diversity of my physical possibilities over and over again. You create a harmonious space in which everyone can express themselves in dance in their very own movements and possibilities, and beautiful encounters become possible. Through your choice of music and forms of improvisation, you give very sensitive and surprising impulses that bring my dance expression wonderfully alive. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm energy, your great creativity and wise course guidance over all the years."

Alexander E. , Teacher, March 2023

"Taking a course again after a long break is like taking the train to your hometown: you know many things and yet there are new things to discover - how wonderful: and I now perceive finer and smaller things that I would have overlooked ("over-sensed") in the past. And I enjoy the bounded free space in improvising very much."

Sabine, certified sports teacher, March 2023

"It has been almost 20 years in which I have been able to participate again and again with pleasure and profit, in changing groups, in which there has always been such a nice feeling of belonging, - despite considerable differences in age! There was always a protected space and the freedom to move according to spontaneous impulses in a way that is not possible anywhere else. A very important factor for me: the music, which you have always chosen in a refined way and which never restrains you. After each appointment, one goes into the next week with vigor and good humor, in fact with a completely different, lasting body awareness (which, as an old skeptic, I had not thought possible before!)."

Heide, Autorin, Januar 2023

"About 4 months ago I came to Renate for help due to a deformity in my left foot. I could hardly walk more than one step without pain and was about to have a second surgery. With the help of her loving empathetic and very fine guidance with the Alexander Technique, which I practice very disciplined, I can now walk again almost an hour without pain. And quite "incidentally" I am making new and very deep experiences on my mindfulness path, although I have been practicing yoga and meditation for many years. By straightening my body and releasing old, obstructive patterns, I experience more lightness, liveliness and joy of life. Heart and mind become wide!"

Mechthild K. Dipl.- Sozialpädagogin, June 2022

"The Alexander Technique helps me very well to alleviate my discomfort after a slipped disc and with frequent neck tension and tension headaches. I have learned to allow my body and myself as well as my fellow human beings and certain situations the appropriate space. In my work as a neurologist, I am very happy to invite patients with similar complaints to try out the Alexander Technique for themselves." 

Dr. J. Binder, Neurologist January 2020

On stage with AT

"Recently I was invited to an event with several panel discussions. It was my turn in the third round. During the previous discussion rounds, I had already noticed how all the participants struggled with the chairs for the discussants, sank into them and, in order to avoid this, sometimes convulsively placed themselves on the front edge of the chair. It was clear to me: If I sit right there in front, the AT has to come along! With the help of Alexander Technique, I managed to align myself in such a way that I could settle down well, knew how to use the space in the chair for myself and thus felt a good presence."         

Vicky (name changed), psychologist, November 2019

"What does the Alexander Technique mean to me? I feel a new quality of awareness within me as I learn to take new postures in life, to walk, stand, sit and lie in a new way. It reveals within me the wonder of my body and its joints combined with a wonderful expansion and depth of awareness within and without, and a newly felt freedom and dignity in how I treat myself. I love taking time to pause and become aware of my beingness. I enter into a mental communication with myself, my neck, spine, shoulders, hips, etc. In doing so, I observe myself and feel a subtle uprightness within me that I experience as part of the sincerity of the life within me. I have been taking AT classes at ZAYT for a little over a month and sometimes attend the open class on Friday mornings. "

Iris, June 2019

The Alexander Technique gives me tools that I can use in every moment to positively impact my life and well-being. It is a life-changing experience to get to the root of my unfavorable habits and change them in my thinking, so that I am no longer powerless in the face of habits. The training at ZAYT provides an open and friendly space for self-exploration. Through Olivia and Renate, I am accompanied through the process in a gentle, attentive and yet clear direction. Even in difficult moments of self-knowledge - be it with unfavorable physical patterns or also thought patterns - I have always felt well taken care of and supported. 

Lucas, student of the Alexander Technique May 2023

"At the beginning of the training, I felt a big difference in myself between my work in the daycare and the training. Over time, the transition from work to training became more "fluid". I was much more present at work and thus had a much more conscious contact with everything that was "in me" and with the children, colleagues and parents."

Carmen, educator and AT teacher May 2023

"A year ago I decided to take a personal training in the Alexander Technique with Renate and Olivia and since then I have been fascinated by this method and the two wonderful teachers. After a herniated disc that has caused me discomfort for 4 years, I have now found a method that allows me to be and stay completely pain-free again. In the beginning, it was no longer possible for me to work at my desk without headaches and back pain. In the meantime, not only at my desk, but also in many areas of work and everyday life with the support of the Alexander Technique, I can change my physical and mental posture so that I no longer have pain."

Martina, October 2019

"Since I first came into contact with the Alexander Technique years ago at ZAYT in Freiburg, regular visits to the continuing education courses there have become an important part of my life. Olivia and Renate run this oasis of competence, diverse knowledge and valuable life experiences with a great deal of commitment and follow-through. Such a wealth of synergy, respect, empathy and openness is extraordinary. I thank the two women for the many inputs on different levels, which always have a decisive impact on my life anew. Merci beaucoup."

Isa, CH, October 2019

"ZAYT is a place of possibilities. A space for inner growth, stillness, laughter and movement. Olivia and Renate understand in a very special way to accompany people in their autonomy, liveliness and beauty. Every encounter was precious to me. THANK YOU."

Leonie, August 2019

"I have been taking AT classes at ZAYT for a little over a month and sometimes attend the open class on Friday mornings.

What does the Alexander Technique mean to me?

I feel a new quality of awareness within me as I learn to take new postures in life, to walk, stand, sit and lie in a new way. It reveals within me the wonder of my body and its joints combined with a wonderful expansion and depth of awareness within and without, and a newly felt freedom and dignity in how I treat myself.

I love taking time to pause and become aware of my beingness. I enter into a mental communication with myself, my neck, spine, shoulders, hips, etc. In doing so, I b ehold myself and feel a subtle uprightness within myself that I experience as part of the sincerity of the life within me."

Iris, June 2019