Sally Greenawalt

Sally Greenawalt began taking lessons in the Alexander Technique in the '70s, in response to a knee injury, and was soon interested in training to teach the work. But with a demanding job in space research, having a strict schedule and frequent business travel, she couldn't take the time. So she studied various types of body work with more flexible coursework, such as shiatsu, Trager, and jin shin accupressure, and she completed a certification course in massage. She worked briefly as a masseuse, but continued also with private lessons in Alexander work.

Finally, near the end of her research career, time became available and she entered the training at the Center for the Alexander Technique in Menlo Park, finishing in 2002. Since then Sally has been teaching in the South Bay and Santa Cruz. She usually works from her home in Campbell, but can travel to a client's home as well. Sally joined classes at The Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique in order to study Alexander's writings more thoroughly, but she soon began to participate also in the hands-on work, and continues to attend sessions, enjoying the experience of working with trainees.

Shortly before she began the AT teacher training, Sally was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), an illness that has a profound effect on movement and agility. She credits the AT with significant relief from the symptoms of Parkinson's, since she can approach a lesson (giving or receiving) feeling stiff and slow, and afterward be moving freely and fluidly. And the work helps to counteract the stooping posture so frequently seen in PD sufferers. In fact, "going up" is a key objective of the work.

When Sally attended the International Congress of the F.M. Alexander Technique in England in 2004, she met Chloe Stallibrass, an Alexander teacher who has conducted a research study into the benefits of the Technique for people with Parkinson's Disease. A report on that study is available on the web by clicking here. She received a lesson from Chloe and discussed her experiences with her. At that time Sally resolved to work some day with PD patients, but until now her students have brought other issues to the lessons: musicians wanting to improve performance, people seeking relief from pain, those wanting to improve posture, etc. This has given her a good general background of experience, and she is looking forward now to extending her practice to people with Parkinson's.

She used to worry that the tremor in her left hand would be a distraction during lessons, but she has been convinced by feedback from students that the tremor is not a problem; in fact oddly enough it often enhances a session. The Alexander Technique has been a profound gift to her; and she wants to transmit this gift to others with her teaching.

Sally has always enjoyed the outdoors and hikes regularly with the Sierra Club Singleaires. The photo shown here was taken some years ago on a backpack trip in the Sierras. Sally is enjoying a very active retirement, taking courses in Marine Biology, yoga and International Relations. She has one daughter, who lives in New York.

Click here for Sally's contact information.