Melissa Brown, Alexander Technique Practitioner in NYC

19/10/2024

Just a post to let you know that my 8-class fall series at the Manhattan JCC begins next week on Wednesday, OCTOBER 23 at 12:15pm. And there are a few slots still open! I recommend that you enroll in the whole series, but drop-in options are also available. For more information or to register, you can check out my website at https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-jcc-new.../
If the timing of this JCC series doesn’t work for you, contact me and let me know whether you would be interested in a very small group series that will take place on Tuesdays at 6pm, beginning soon on OCTOBER 29, at my home studio on 110th Street. There is one slot left. https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-lessons-nyc/

If you have ever been interested in exploring the Alexander Technique, this group class is a perfect, very cost-effective way to do so. I will keep the group small so I can assure that you will receive personal attention - even in a group setting.

The Alexander Technique is a method that helps you improve alignment, move with more ease and reduce stress and pain. If you are interested, you can find a more in-depth explanation of the work on my website at
https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-lessons-nyc/

19/10/2024

Just a post to let you know that my 8-class fall series at the Manhattan JCC begins next week on Wednesday, OCTOBER 23 at 12:15pm. And there are a few slots still open! I recommend that you enroll in the whole series, but drop-in options are also available. For more information or to register, you can check out my website at https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-jcc-new.../
If the timing of this JCC series doesn’t work for you, contact me and let me know whether you would be interested in a very small group series that will take place on Tuesdays at 6pm, beginning soon on OCTOBER 29, at my home studio on 110th Street. There is one slot left. https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-lessons-nyc/
If you have ever been interested in exploring the Alexander Technique, this group class is a perfect, very cost-effective way to do so. I will keep the group small so I can assure that you will receive personal attention - even in a group setting.
The Alexander Technique is a method that helps you improve alignment, move with more ease and reduce stress and pain. If you are interested, you can find a more in-depth explanation of the work on my website at
https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-lessons-nyc/

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04/09/2022

Check out my new fall offerings and my new website! All three classes can be found on my website.

Manhattan JCC Class:
It's now in-person as well as online! We call it a hybrid class.
https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-online-course/
Actors Class
I will be beginning a new 4-part series on Saturdays from 11:00am -12:30pm in October, beginning on October 8th.
https://melissabrownnyc.com/alexander-technique-for-actors-nyc/
Free Online Workshop for Actors Connection
I will be presenting another free online workshop on Monday September 12th at 2pm about how to deal with performance anxiety during auditions. Also good for non-actors who make public presentations.
https://melissabrownnyc.com/

04/09/2022

Breathe for ease: Focus on the EXHALE Check out my new blog post on my website…link in bio

09/08/2022

Enjoy the rest of your summer and don’t miss out on my upcoming Fall Classes and Work Shops! (All listed on my website - link is on my bio page)
Alexander Technique for actors:
1)Free online Actors Connection workshop on Monday September 12th at 2pm

2)October 4 class Saturday series for Actors

For everyone:
My JCC 10 class hybrid series (conducted both online and in-person) begins Wednesday, September 24

09/08/2022

Check out my blog post on 3 easy tips for overcoming stage fright, like finding the floor. Get the link, melissabrownnyc.com/blog, on my bio page

26/07/2022

My new insta account. Here I am working with a wonder actress!

09/07/2021

Free Online Class for Actors!
I have been invited back to teach another workshop for the Actors Connection!
Please join me on Monday, July 19 at 3pm.
Non-actors are welcome as this class will help you learn to be more effective in making all kinds of public presentations – whether to a small or a large group of listeners.

Actors Connection offers a wide variety of audition technique acting classes and SPECIAL EVENTS designed to improve your skills in specific areas.

20/05/2021

WHAT IS THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE?
In this blogpost, as the world is opening back up, I want return to the basics and revisit the question that people so often ask me: What is the Alexander Technique?
Some think I teach “good” (usually stiff) posture. Thank goodness, that is not the case. Others think that the Technique is a relaxation practice, like many other mindful modalities. Though the Alexander Technique certainly teaches us to release unnecessary tension in the body and to calm the mind, it is not a relaxation practice. There are two key components of the Technique and although one of them involves the release of tension, the other helps us find a new and improved organization of the body.
1) The Release
Students learn how to notice habitual tension and compression patterns that pull the spine out of alignment and then to let them go. However, the practice does not end there. We are not looking to release into a collapse of the body; we are looking to be both easy and poised at the same time. This is the aspect of the Technique that is unique and different from other modalities that encourage only relaxation.
2) Finding A New Way
Alexander found a very specific way to re-pattern the body into a new and better organization that encourages the spine to come into its full length. In short, he discovered that after we release the tension that stiffens us, we can improve our alignment by letting the neck muscles soften so they can release their grip on the head and stop the head from pulling down onto the spine. This allows the spine to decompress upwards, so we are both easy and poised at the same time.
If you are interested in releasing your habitual patterns of compression and exploring a new and improved organization of the body, I have two new offerings right now. One is for actors online (AND IT IS FREE) and the other one (online at the JCC) is for anyone looking to feel better and move with more ease.
NEW OFFERINGS:
FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP FOR ACTORS AT THE ACTORS CONNECTION on Monday, May 24 at 3pm. Click here to register:
https://www.actorsconnection.com/.../2021-05-24-free.../
NEW SERIES AT THE JCC - beginning Wednesday May 26 at 6:15pm. See details below. Register here https://mmjccm.org/programs?keywords=special%20alexander...

19/04/2021

Blog Post for Actors and Other Performers

I am developing a new curriculum for a group class for actors and would love to hear any feedback from actors and other performers on my thoughts about the ways in which the Technique provides valuable tools for the performing artist.

First though, I want to let you know the exciting news that at 3pm on Wednesday, May 26, I will be teaching a free workshop online for the Actors Connection. I will provide you with the link to register as soon as they post it. Also, this spring, I am offering free 15-minute consultations. Right now, there are also a few spots left in my online actors’ group as well. For more information on the free consultations or the class, check out my website at https://melissabrownnyc.com/.

Three thoughts on how the Alexander Technique benefits actors

1) Performance Anxiety: The Alexander Technique helps you “get out of your head.”
It provides you with reliable tools to deal with performance anxiety and to be more grounded and present on stage.
You learn how to release unnecessary tension and center yourself. As one of my acting students, Caroline, puts it, the Technique: “allows me to be fully present in each moment of the play, to be grounded in my body and fully in my voice. Emotions—even tears when the role requires them!—flow more easily.”

2) Body Awareness: Actors learn to increase their body awareness so that they can find an easy neutral position from which to create a character’s specific physicality. If you have a tendency to tilt your head to the right and don’t know it, your character will be stuck with your habit – whether it is or is not appropriate. You want to start with a blank canvas. Also, you want to be able to find some ease when your role is physically demanding so you can reduce tension and fatigue a much as possible.

3) Breathing and Vocal Production: With the release of unnecessary tightening and tension, the Technique allows actors to develop easy, natural breathing and a well-supported, flexible vocal instrument.


Do these ideas resonate with you? If you have studied the Technique, how has it benefitted you?

Any thoughts to share?

11/04/2021

RESPONDING INSTEAD OF SIMPLY REACTING AND AN OFFER OF A FREE CONSULTATION AND AUDIO-FILE
One of the greatest lessons that I have learned through my study of the Alexander Technique is to pause before reacting so I have a chance to choose how I might respond.

I remember that when the subway was approaching, I used to have trouble finding my metro card in time to make it on. Seeing the train often caused me to startle and it would be difficult for me to successfully sort through the contents of my bag. Now, I seem to automatically pause, release some tension and find my bearings. Actually, before the pandemic hit - when I was taking the subways all the time - I almost always made the train without incident. Quite a feat for me!

When faced with stressful situations, we tend to be reactive, instead of taking a moment and choosing how we might best respond. We tighten our necks and shoulders and tense our backs. We even hold our breath. If you experience this kind of stress – whether you’re coping with pain, performing on stage or just dealing with everyday life, like trying to get on the subway – the Alexander Technique can really help you. You will learn to become aware of your tension patterns and find ways to calm and ground yourself.

If you would like a chance to see how, I am currently offering free 15-minute consultations by phone or zoom.
Check out my website at https://melissabrownnyc.com/ for more information.

You can also download my free audio-file on Constructive Rest at https://melissabrownnyc.com/blog – where I lead you through a 12-minute practice that will introduce to some of your tension patterns and ways to undo them.

14/03/2021

HOW THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE HAS HELPED ME AND CAN HELP YOU DEAL WITH STRESS
PLUS: An offer of a free 15-minute consultation: https://melissabrownnyc.com/
Have you ever felt like you are in a cycle of reactivity and stress with no way to deal with it? That’s how I felt a lot of the time before I found the Alexander Technique. As a classic Type A personality, life was always about working hard, pushing myself and trying “to get it right.” It was pretty exhausting. I remember when I tried my first misdemeanor case at Legal Aid, my supervisors joked that it seemed like I was preparing to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court!
When I began studying the Alexander technique, I had no idea that my lessons would help center and ground me ... (for the rest of this post, check out my blog page) https://melissabrownnyc.com/blog
The Technique has given me concrete tools to be mindful – to pause and release excess tension so I can choose to respond instead of simply react to the events in my life. It has also helped me be easier and stop pushing myself so hard.
If stress is making you feel like you have no choices, I would love to share these tools with you. Contact me for a free 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION, for lessons or to join one of my group classes. I look forward to hearing from you. https://melissabrownnyc.com/

With the Alexander Technique, you learn to identify poor postural habits and rediscover a freer, easier and more natural way of moving. You also learn to make these changes in a mindful way that reduces stress and enhances overall health and well-being.