To learn more about the Alexander Technique, read our recent press article below.
Financial Review Alexander Technique Article (pdf)
Not only does it make sense for your health and wellbeing, the Australian Financial review says it make financial sense as well! Contact Pathways to Performance to see how we can help you.
Financial Review Article
April 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
High Heels and Handbags
March 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
As a young girl I was always told, I could do anything that I wanted to. So… I became to be a psychologist and a “suit”. I walked the halls of many corporations in my tailored suits and killer heels. I was always told and allowed to be powerful and gained the confidence to pull it off and I remain continually impressed and in awe of the power, strength and beauty that a woman can have. We recently ran a unique workshop called High Heels and Handbags. I decided to do this after seeing the many wobbles and hearing the wows of pain by colleagues, friends and clients. We use the principles of the Alexander Technique to teach awareness about the body and the habits that we have created over the years about how we move and how we think. In only a two hour session, I was taken aback by the inner strength, beauty and confidence that each of these very different women (and a young girl) displayed. They were sexy and they owned the room. No apologies just belief and power. All of this from three easy steps of awareness, information and choice. Well done ladies!
To learn more about the Alexander Technique, read our recent press article below.
Financial Review Alexander Technique Article (pdf)
Not only does it make sense for your health and wellbeing, the Australian Financial review says it make financial sense as well! Contact Pathways to Performance to see how we can help you.
2013 Workshop Series Highlights
January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Take a look at our workshop and small group class series for Jan to June 2013 including:
- Our popular introductory classes
- Our NEW small group sessions
- Specialised pain management sessions
- Public Speaking support group
- Ladies Only workshop and small group sessions
Take a look at our Workshops Page for full details
Is Glossophobia Limiting Your Career?
December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Repeatedly our clients tell us stories of the promotions they have missed or the jobs they’ve not applied for, due to the fact that they are terrified to communicate their message to a group. Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking and it is holding back the best and brightest. Is it holding you back?
Ask yourself these questions….
- Does even the thought of speaking to a group make you anxious?
- Do you avoid activities and opportunities where you may need to speak out?
- Do you experience nausea, increased heart rate, tightness in the neck and jaw, a dry throat or sweaty palms if or when you do need to speak publicly?
If you said, “yes” to one or all of these questions, then perhaps it is time to conquer your fear and get the career your deserve.
Glossophobia does not discriminate. You may be an engineer, a designer, a banker or a psychologist. Do you have something important to say? Perhaps significant statistical findings, an idea or hypothesis, an opinion or the need to share your vision. Interestingly, a recent Glassophobia laughed and said “it actually doesn’t even matter what you say, it is how you say it!”
Do this little exercise…
- Write down all of the thoughts, symptoms and feelings that you experience when you may need to speak in public.
- Now write down what you have missed out on because of your fear
- Now assess the personal value and worth of what you have missed.
Your fear is real, we know that. Here at Pathways our approach includes both the emotional and physical reactions to your fear of public speaking. We work with your natural speaking style starting with low risk strategies increased your capability to reach your ultimate goal.
So start 2013 with the voice and presence you deserve’…rethink your potential™’.
New Premises Special Offer
November 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
During the months of November and December we are offering a 30 minute consultation for only $50*. Call or email us to make a booking.
*(not applicable to Medicare, Worksafe or TAC Clients)
Is Your Body Stressed?
November 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Body stressing causes 51% of workplace injuries. (Comcare Annual Report 2010-2011). If half of our workers are impacted then your chances of being part of these statistics is pretty good. So what is body stressing and what can you do about it?
Body stressing is the result of soft tissue injuries that typically arise from repetitive movement and/or conducting manual tasks. The injuries are commonly seen as muscle aches and pains, back conditions and muscle strains. Poor posture and work environments also contribute to body stressing injuries.
One of our sayings here at Pathways is that any movement is possible, it is “how” you do the movement. So consider this…do you force your body to do the same movement without a break, do you just push the pain barrier? Do you try to lift, pull or turn thinking it will be ok just this once? You need to consider your body and your thinking in order to avoid body stressing injuries.
First of all get to know your body, really understand what it can do? Do you really know where your hips bend from and which muscles to engage when you do heaving lifting? We’ve all seen the skinny removalist moving a heavy huge load, haven’t we… it is “how” they move that makes them a great example. Secondly you need to think about what you are doing. It is not only before you lift the package, but when you are undertaking activities over and over, twisting, turning, bending. Stop and think! Play a game with yourself, notice how you are moving and see if you can do it differently, what other choices do you have, what excessive muscle tension can you let go of? “…rethink your potential!”
Minimise Pain Maximise Performance
October 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
At Pathways we are dedicated to performance enhancement and getting the very best out of yourself, both emotionally and physically. You may be surprised to hear that within most of our work, we meet with people who are in chronic or constant pain. In formal terms, we refer to these people as “high functioning”. They have a job and/or run a household, can a good social network, are active and could be that person you just walked past in the street. Many of us think that a sore back, knee or neck tension is “our lot in life” and something that we just have to put up with…. Well speaking from experience, it isn’t!
Pain can have two very distinct responses in the human body. The first is to debilitate- to limit what you can achieve and send you into a downward spiral. Alternately, pain can be a powerful motivator for change. What you need to work out is how or what to change. Albert Einstein said “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. Here at Pathways we work with you to understand and address the psychophysical elements of pain and performance. Considering how both your physical body and your emotional and mental state impact pain management and you can start to …”rethink your potential.”
Government Rebates Available
August 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Medicare, Worksafe and TAC Rebates are available to suitable clients with our Pathways Director, Carina Thomas. Carina is a Somatic Psychologist specialising in the interplay of mind and body. A GP referral is required, please contact Carina or the team for further information.
Individual sessions are also eligible for rebates under private health insurance. Refer to our Rebates page for full details.
Give your back a “power nap”!
August 31, 2012 By
We all know the signs along the freeways and highways telling us to stop and have a short break to stay alert and alive. Well the same concept goes for our daily health and long term wellbeing.
Did you know that your body compresses over the course of a day and you can become 1-2 cm shorter? That’s right over the hours of sitting standing and pounding the pavement we lose our body’s natural spring. Our muscles contract and we lose fluidity in our joints and overall movement. So…..give your back a power nap!
Lie on your back and place some books under your head. This allows for your spine to stay neutral rather than crushing or straining your neck. Let your feet come toward your bottom so that your knees are pointed towards the ceiling. Finally place your hands either side on your tummy and just breathe. This is what we technically call the Semi Supine position or position of constructive rest. It allows time for your body to regenerate from the stressors of the day and is a position of great comfort, placing minimal effort on your body and joints, in particular your lower back
Recent medical research proved that lying down in a Semi Supine position for 13 minutes allows for the spinal discs to rehydrate and restore your spine’s natural spring ?
At our recent Mythbusting Posture and Movement seminar, a young fellow stopped me afterwards and said that he has Multiple Sclerosis and discovered the Semi Supine and it has given him great relief and control over his illness… what a fantastic impact with something so simple!
Absenteeism reduced by 42% using Alexander Technique
August 6, 2012 By
Wellness in the Workplace
For many years I was involved in managing and paying the bills for employee health programmes. I saw millions of dollars spent every year on injured or sick employees, with a large proportion from stress and/or back and neck injuries. We managed hospital and insurance costs, employee absenteeism, return to work approaches while trying to maintain overall company employee engagement.
The best company I worked for was one where the preventative strategies far outweighed the treatment provisions. Employees were provided with access to allied health professionals and were encouraged to manage themselves in the workplace- to take breaks, to exercise, to actually have some fun.
Employee Wellness Programmes are not just a passing trend. They are proven to have sustainable results.
Victorinox in Switzerland actually decreased their absenteeism by 42% by having an Alexander Technique Teacher on staff.
So whether you are an employer or an employee, think about the type of workplace you want to work in and see what changes you can make. The best changes are the ones that come from within!
