Alexander technique for People Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Gentle tools for improving movement, coordination, and daily comfort
Elderly people with Parkinson's learning the Alexander Technique

Move with greater ease. Restore confidence.
Live with more grace.

Working with individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) has shown me firsthand how transformative the Alexander Technique can be. This method helps people manage symptoms, move with more fluidity, and participate in daily life with greater confidence and ease.

Older woman tending vegetables in a garden

What the research says:

check mark The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends the Alexander Technique as the only therapy to support day-to-day movement for people with Parkinson’s. (Parkinson’s UK Policy Statement)

check mark A randomized controlled trial found that 24 Alexander Technique lessons reduced disability and depression in people with PD, with benefits retained at six months. Participants reported improved balance, posture, walking, coping ability, and reduced stress (Stallibrass et al., 2002; Stallibrass et al., 2005).

check mark Another study highlighted improved postural alignment, reduced sway, better torso mobility, and smoother movement during step initiation, suggesting enhanced overall movement efficiency (Cohen RG, 2015).

The Benefits

Benefits reported by participants include:

– Easier performance of everyday activities—even during challenging times of day

– Reduced feelings of being downhearted

– Increased self-confidence and independence

 

Long-term advantages:

– Slower progression of Parkinson’s symptoms

– Potentially reduced need for medication increases over time

The Alexander Technique offers a practical, empowering approach for people with Parkinson’s—helping to reclaim comfort, movement, and freedom in daily life.

BOOK A LESSON

Book a lesson with Lena Hart at Alexander Technique SF Bay Area to start feeling better and be in control of your pain.

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REAL RESULTS

  • I found Lena when feeling stiff while moving. Using the Alexander Technique not only was this addressed but I became aware of a subtle feeling of flow or presence that now serve as a baseline. Performing both with and without an audience such as sports and public speaking are now so much easier and better. Even started some acting. Beware - this has the potential to become somewhat of a spiritual experience in addition to eliminating muscle aches. Lena, Thank you so much for being there as a trusted guide and a teacher 🙏

    --Bruno, Tech Security, Livermore, CA

  • Working with Lena Hart has changed my life. She is not only one of the greatest acting teacher/coaches I've ever met but more than that, her lessons in the Alexander Technique have helped me so much in my day to day life. I used to be really tight in my body and carry around a lot of tension in my neck. Since working with Lena, I feel so much looser and more relaxed in my body, which has made me a better actor more open to letting my scene partner affect me and it has also really helped me as a person. I feel free in my body now rather than a prisoner trapped inside of it. Lena is such an amazing teacher, she is so kind, intelligent and funny and just one of my all around favorite human beings. I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with her and I hope that I get to work with her forever. I couldn't recommend Lena more, both for actors and non actors alike.

    --Tommy, Actor, San Francisco, CA

  • Prior to working with Lena, I had no experience with the Alexander Technique but was curious to find out if it could help with some issues I have been struggling with throughout my life. Lena made me feel immediately comfortable and proceeded to help me accomplish a number of my goals and make a very positive impact on my life in a short period of time. I can't recommend her highly enough.

    --Jack, AVI-SPL, Walnut Creek, CA

  • I came to Lena because of a recurring issue with my left knee. I had an idea that, while yes there was an injury, I also needed to address my habitual way of walking though the world in order to aide my healing process. Lena was amazing. She let me move through the studio and was very observant and attentive to my issues. She gave a very gentle guidance while explaining how each guided move would benefit me overall. She gives practical exercises to take home so that you can continue the healing and alignment process on your own. Lena allowed me to participate in my growth through the technique by fusing her knowledge of anatomy with my knowledge of how I move my body day to day. I was with her for a week and felt a vast difference after the first session. She is even adept at giving the lessons online, enhancing my awareness of how I hold my posture at work and home. If you have had a joint injury or just suffer from aches, soreness and dull pain; Alexander Technique with Lena is a beneficial path to your healing journey.

    --Shinnerrie, Professor, Knoxville, TN

  • Learning Alexander technique with Lena has been pretty life changing. When it felt like other teachers were telling me to hide who I was, Lena embraced everything about my personality. She quickly figured out ways to help me get closer to overcoming my habits. She is a fearless teacher that has your best interests at heart. 

    -Anna, Actress, San Francisco, CA

  • Between the Alexander Method and the teaching talents of Lena my experience has been very educational and a pleasurable experience. 

    -James, Retiree, Brentwood, CA

  • The Alexander Technique for me has been a way for me to help myself to improve the health of my body and the way I move.  My main issues have been my back and neck and I have become more aware of the poor positions I put myself into that cause many of my problems.  The Alexander Technique has giving me a method that enables me to help myself.     The other important factor is the person who can teach you this method and Lena Hart is an excellent instructor.   She is very comfortable which allows you to be very relaxed.  Lena teaches you in small sections to make it easier to understand.  She is also great about getting to know your individual issues and designing the program to fit your needs.

    -Amanda, Actress, San Francisco, CA

  • I first met Lena in the AT teacher training course, and we spent 2 years (of the 3 year training course) learning and practicing the technique together.  Lena was such a delight to work together and generous to share her knowledge and skills with fellow trainees.  And that quality continues in her work.  She is insightful with a keen observation and guides you into a balanced state with her expert hands-on skills.  

    -Ann Koo, Certified Teacher the Alexander Technique, AmSAT

  • Lena is one of the most creative, effective Alexander Technique teachers. It’s easy to learn from Lena because she will make you feel comfortable from the start. She’ll help you release habits that are causing you to breathe, move and respond to stressors in a self-sabotaging way.

 As colleagues, we exchange ideas and discuss how we (as teachers) can be more effective. I’m consistently impressed by Lena’s commitment to her students.
Recently she has begun working with people who have Parkinson’s...she has a deep understanding of how to work with habits and can teach you skills so that you can coach yourself to feel better. I’ve also observed Lena teaching at her acting class at university. The students responded immediately to her open, engaging way of teaching. By the end of ONE class, the students’ performances had improved substantially and were much more believable.

 Whether you are in pain or interested in improving your performance, I highly recommend Lena Hart.



    Jessica Santascoy, M.A.
New York, NY
Certified Teacher the Alexander Technique, AmSAT
Board Member, AmSAT

  • I have only managed to have a few sessions with Lena since I live on the east coast, but I was impressed with how quickly she could diagnose my limitations with walking down stairs after knee replacement surgery. Almost as quickly she taught me strategies and gave me mental visuals to help me walk down the stairs much more easily and effectively without favoring my other side. I wish I lived closer as she helped my posture and made movements feel simpler and lighter. She has a gentle, inviting manner which belies her expertise and proficiency in helping one to function more effectively and with less effort. I highly recommend taking advantage of her great skills if you live in the Bay area.

    - Ellen Whitten, Aerobics Instructor

  • Working with Lena Hart is an absolute blessing. When recommending students to take her class, my main pitch is that she is a wizard. I say that because when meeting Lena, I was a stiff, ex football player. I was never connected to my body and I didn’t know all the physical things I was capable of. I was such a non-believer in the Alexander Technique, up until the the day I had my first private session with Lena. Relaxing my neck and being physically free has changed my life forever. I always repeat her words when doing a scene, “It’s easy, let it be easy.” Thank you Lena for everything!

    —Zaya Kolia, Actor

  • Lena has helped me so much in my pursuit to honing my craft as an actor and in life. Myself being a very physical person, Alexander Technique was just what I needed. As I continued to train with her, I found myself using Alexander in my everyday life as well--while exercising, walking/running, even while reading. I find though, where she truly shines, is in her ability to connect with others. She has an extraordinary ability to really understand other people. Which I find is really lost in society today.

    - Leffié

  • Having been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and bulging disks I was desperate for relief from my intense pain. It was at this point that I was fortunate to have discovered the Alexander Technique and doubly blessed to be paired with Lena Hart. An extraordinarily skilled practitioner, Lena offers a gentle touch, combined with personal warmth, humor and wisdom, along with a heaping dose of support and encouragement. I highly recommend her to anyone experiencing physical discomfort. Lena, you are the Best!

    -Ron, retiree