Belinda Mello: AT Motion Page

About the Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a way to improve how we move. Since its development over 100 years ago, many people have used this technique to change postural habits, avoid strain and recuperate from injuries. Actors, dancers and musicians rely on it to enhance their skill and performance levels. Anyone who uses a computer will find it helps alleviate common shoulder pain and prevents Repetitive Stress Injuries.

The Alexander Technique is a process for coordinating our thought and action. Whether or not we are aware of it, we make choices about how we move. Letting go of unnecessary tension brings us into balance and lets us breathe easier.

The Alexander Technique is a form of psycho-physical re-education. Everyone can learn to regain their natural flexibility and poise. The emphasis of this method is on learning to prevent misuse, allowing you to develop your innate potential.

F.M. Alexander, The Originator
F. M. Alexander (1869-1955) began his work as a young actor whose hoarse voice was ruining his career. The failure of medical treatment prompted him to begin a thorough process of self-study and experimentation in order to identify the root of his problems. By observing what he did with his body while reciting, he discovered and developed a method for changing his habits. Alexander recognized the unified self and understood that the key to change lay in learning to stop doing harm to one's natural integration. He restored his speaking voice, rescued his performance career and became an internationally famous teacher. Over 100 years later, his method is valued worldwide for self-care and performance enhancement.

..................................................................................................................................................

Lessons and Classes

Who is an ATmotion student?
• Anyone who is physically uncomfortable due to postural habits, injuries, stress, or poor self image
• Actors, dancers, singers, musicians, artists
• Athletes and martial artists
• Computer and keyboard users
• Pregnant women and parents
• Healthcare professionals, therapists and bodywork practitioners
• Everyone who wants to breathe easier and move more freely

Discover your potential for lasting change.

What’s in a Lesson?
In an Alexander Technique lesson you will learn to use a simple procedure with potentially far-reaching results. While practicing simple activities you will discover the relationship of your head, torso and limbs. A lesson usually includes releasing tension while lying down on a bodywork table. Belinda Mello is trained to observe and analyze movement and will work with you in your specialized activities. She uses gentle directive touch to help you to refine how you move so that you can prevent injury and improve your performance.

Individual Lessons

A series of lessons will be tailored to your individual needs. A typical lesson lasts 50 minutes, once a week. Most students study for a few months while others find the work compelling enough to continue studying for many years. Because the patterns being changed have built up over most of your lifetime, you should expect to invest some time on this process outside of lessons. Ultimately, you are learning a skill which you can apply to your life as you see fit.

Group Lessons

Having a chance to watch the movement of another person, or listen to the question of a peer, can deepen the individual’s learning experience. It can be encouraging to receive feedback as you progress and reassuring to share the challenge of learning with other people. Some Alexander Technique teachers, including Belinda Mello, have been specially trained to lead group classes and workshops.

Appointments and Information
917-753-0624
Email: bmello@AlexTechMotion.com

Office Locations
Manhattan
875 Sixth Avenue (at 31st Street), Suite 1108

Park Slope Brooklyn
9 Plaza Street West (at Grand Army Plaza)

......................................................................................................................................

Workshops

Workshop copy here.

..................................................................................................................................................

Belinda Mello
	Belinda Mello is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique whose practice includes working with performing and creative artists as well as people who are in pain in their everyday lives or have physically demanding jobs. She currently teaches individuals and small groups at offices in Manhattan and Park Slope. In her private practice she applies the Alexander Technique a wide variety of issues including RSI, TMJ, scoliosis, chronic neck, shoulder and hip pain as well as back strain resulting from the challenging process of change in pregnancy and childbirth. Belinda currently teaches movement for actors in the CUNY/Brooklyn College Theatre Department She has been a guest lecturer and workshop leader at other conservatory programs including the New Actors Workshop, New York University’s Undergraduate Theater Department, Musical Theater Workshop and for theater companies including the Jean Cocteau Repertory and Aching Dogs Rep. In 1995-97 she co-founded the Alexander Project for the Performing Arts with vocal coach Leann Overton as a vehicle for teaching the Alexander Technique to opera singers and classical voice students. Belinda is a member & former regional coordinator of Alexander Technique International and has been certified to teach since 1989. She has led workshops and group classes at many locations including the New York Open Center, Soho Center for the Alexander Technique, LIU Physical Rehabilitation Center as well as the Spoke the Hub Re-Creation Center. She has given workshops specifically for Licensed Massage Therapists at the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy and for the American Association of Massage Therapists. Belinda has over 15 years experience as a peer counselor and support group leader. She has trained with the Childbirth Education Association of Metropolitan New York and has volunteered as a birth assistant at the New York Foundling Hospital. Belinda Mello draws on her background in theater, dance and movement analysis. She began her training as an actor at Boston University and at RADA in London. Belinda has worked with directors and playwrights Anne Bogart, Tony Kushner and Wendy Woodson. She has performed at St. Mark’s Church/Danspace, The Yard, in the Local Produce Festival and danced with Eva Dean. Her dance and movement education includes modern dance technique at the Cunningham and Hawkins studios as well as Contact Improvisation and Ideokinesis. She has studied Body Mind Centering with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and was taught Laban’s effort/shape analysis as an undergraduate at Hampshire College where she co-authored a study on human posture. She continues to pursue her interest in movement training through Pilates and Yoga. Recently, Belinda has studied mask and Chekhov technique with Per Brahe and is developing her knowledge of voice in workshops with Ted Dimon and Rob Macdonald.

..................................................................................................................................................
Contact Belinda Mello About: • Private lessons by appointment • Small group classes • Lecture-Demonstrations for large or small groups • Seminars for Licensed Massage Therapists • ActorsATmotion - workshops for performing artists • Movement Consultation and Coaching Office Locations Manhattan 875 Sixth Avenue (at 31st Street), Suite 1108 Park Slope Brooklyn 9 Plaza Street West (at Grand Army Plaza) Appointments and Information 917-753-0624 Email: bmello@AlexTechMotion.com ..................................................................................................................................................
Links http://www.ati-net.com ATI International: the World-Wide professional organization for the F.M. Alexander Technique. It includes many articles about the technique, teacher listings, bibliography and more links. http://www.alexandertechnique.com/babel/homepage Foreign Language web pages: a collection of webpages in many languages other than English. http://www.directionjournal.com DIRECTION Journal: the website of the independent journal of the Alexander Technique. ..................................................................................................................................................