Alexander Technique
"I went to Sue after many months of unresolved neck and upper back pain. I didn’t know much at all about the Alexander Technique, but Sue was recommended and I was willing to try anything.
Sue’s engaging and pleasant manner, together with her knowledge and way of explaining the technique in a simple and straightforward manner, soon dispelled any reservations I may have had that the sessions wouldn’t help me. After only a few lessons with Sue I could feel myself frequently thinking about how I was moving and using my body as I went around my everyday life. This led to me being able to reduce the amount of unnecessary tension which I was holding in my neck and upper back, which led to less pain.
Thanks to Sue, not only do I now have no pain, but I have a much greater awareness of how my body feels and moves. I would highly recommend her.” Miranda
"I have been very fortunate to come across the Alexander Technique – and even more fortunate to have Sue Barclay as my teacher. The Alexander Technique has had a profound affect on my well being – both physically and mentally. I believe that learning the Technique has enabled me to understand the cause of my back and neck pain and make changes which can prevent it. This in turn has given me more confidence in other aspects of my life. I cannot recommend Sue highly enough, her knowledge and understanding of the Technique and her ability to teach in a way that is fun, leaves you recharged, and inspired to study the Alexander Technique and practice it for life.” Lindy
"I began working with Sue because I wanted to find more freedom in my playing and generally in my everyday life. It has been and continues to be a wonderful experience. Working with Sue is a complete revelation. Her approach to the teaching of the Alexander technique is very instructive, illuminating and she instinctively knows the optimal pacing of lessons. Sue is a warm and friendly energy. She is thoughtful, insightful and is truly committed to imparting her knowledge in a way that fosters dialogue and I always leave with all the questions I had answered but always with a new direction to explore. My playing has become much freer and so is my approach to practice. She often reminds me that “everything is easier with a smile” Sue’s lessons are a source of great joy, much laughter and delight. I would highly recommend anyone who has an interest in the Alexander technique to have lessons with Sue. She is a wonderful and inspirational teacher.” Nicola
"I have enjoyed every single lesson I have had with Sue. She’s kind and funny and approaches each event with a chuckle and a sense of playfulness. The results of the work we did were quite unexpectedly far-reaching – people noticed a difference in me but couldn’t put their finger on it, just that I seemed better somehow. More confident? Lost weight? Better health? New hairdo? No, Just carrying myself differently. With more ease. I certainly experienced less pain after each lesson as Sue’s calming hands reminded my body that it could let go of unnecessary tension, & then her words would stay with me to remind me how to continue practicing.
As a massage therapist, I could feel the difference in a client I referred to Sue – her neck was just softer, chronic tension was released.” Serena
"Sue Barclay is a wonderful exemplar of how Alexander Technique can be lived and taught. Sue is a person of great integrity who will give you time and space to explore greater ease of movement. If you are willing to take your time, and you are not in a rush for a quick fix then Alexander taught by Sue could be the thing that will make a lasting difference for you. I have learnt with direction from Sue how to better to look after myself, how to be myself with less effort. I would encourage everyone to have Alexander lessons with Sue.” Kate
"My course of lessons with Sue have been most enjoyable and beneficial, her advice given in such a friendly relaxed manner in my own home. When we first met I was very tense after a spell of ill health and her lovely calm voice enabled me relax and absorb her tuition. I learnt to eliminate movements which I had always believed to be correct and I am most appreciative of her guidance." Margaret
"Over a year ago I experienced the most excruciating neck and nerve pain down my right arm later diagnosed as ‘spondylosis’. After many treatments with a chiropractor costing huge sums of money nothing had improved. I knew Sue Barclay well and embarked on one-to-one sessions with her for the Alexander Technique. This has been a life changing experience for me and I now use the technique on a daily basis – what I have been taught never leaves my mind. I think about how I walk, how I sit, how I use the computer – it has become part of my everyday life in fact you could say ‘a way of life’ . My neck pain has gone and my posture much improved. During the sessions Sue suggested I might try a little yoga. I have been learning slowly at my pace and it has been an eye opener for me. I had no idea I could achieve what I have. I am fitter and more supple ( making use of these neglected muscles ) and it is great for your mental well-being. I love it. Sue is an inspirational teacher and I would recommend her to anyone. Elly Taylor Young
"I have been going to see Sue for Alexander lessons for a few years now and I find it very helpful in many ways. I am much more comfortable in my body and body movements and more aware of my body in general. This has had a number of benefits – I rarely have aches and pains now, I feel more relaxed in myself, but also paradoxically, more alert. I think it has also contributed to a general sense of well being. Sue is a lovely, enabling teacher, highly perceptive and astute. The lessons are fun and interactive. I would recommend Sue without any hesitation.” Mary
"12 months ago I was unable to see myself climbing hills, running or scuba diving ever again. Sue has been an essential part of my recovery. It has taken many months but I am now climbing, diving, running and scuba diving once again. Without Sue’s care, support and teaching I do not think this would have ever been possible.” Dave
"From helping to manage pain and discomfort, and building confidence to understanding your body and mind better, I have felt the huge benefits of Sue’s classes. I believe they will guide anyone of any age and ability to step into themselves with more confidence and freedom. It is without a doubt one of the best things I have ever done and I would recommend it to everyone!” Lauren
"Sue has helped me over the last two years with Alexander Technique. She is methodical, clear and patient and I always felt the benefits from each lesson These benefits lasted well after each lesson. She also worked with my daughter who suffers from Asperger’s. She felt tangible benefits from the get go and her posture and manner became more outgoing and confident as each week passed. Sue made her feel at ease, something Asperger sufferers can find very hard.” Douglas
Yoga
"Sue's manner of teaching Yoga is both joyful & challenging. I look forward to her classes every week & cannot recommend them highly enough . She has the ability to be inspirational, warm, precise & technical. One year ago, I had been suffering from labyrinthitis and on the advice of my friend I decided to try Sues classes & after a few weeks, I began to feel so much better, my energy levels are higher, I sleep better and no more labyrinthitis!! I am so grateful to Sue." Ruby
"Sue’s yoga is a breath of fresh air for both body and soul. It is uplifting, energising and yet gentle. Her expertise allows you to develop strength and push boundaries in a supportive and mindful way. I cannot recommend Sue highly enough." Nikky
"I began to work Individually with Sue at the beginning of lockdown . We agreed 30 minute yoga session on zoom once each week, and it has been a life saver for me. Sue’s approach suits me perfectly. She has offered an introduction to yoga and built up both standing and floor exercises over the weeks we have worked together. I have benefitted in a way that I did not imagine would happen , feeling more flexibility and much better posture. Sue is an encouraging teacher and has adapted her work to suit my needs, relating the work to me rather than having an expectation that I fit in with set ideas. I wholeheartedly recommend her." Eileen
“A treat for body and soul. I started doing one to one yoga sessions with Sue a few weeks ago. She is calm, gentle and lovely! Her teaching method is very natural and intuitive, working to my particular needs which might vary from one week to the next. For the first time I now feel able to do my own practice at home during the week which is helpful on so many levels, especially during these crazy Corona times...It's wonderful to have a class in the comfort of home - not rushing about and driving miles to class, then finding parking and always being late?! At the start of a session I sometimes find myself feeling 'stiff and stale', but always end feeling calm, at a place of ease, energised and ready to embrace the day ahead. Thank you Sue ! Claire
"I have always been interested in sports from a young age and I tried yoga a few times to increase my flexibility but it never really stuck until I met Sue. She is a highly skilled, perceptive and genuinely empathetic person. I have had so much fun learning about myself and my body during her classes and learned that everything and anything is possible when you just think about it. Yoga has changed my mental health for the better and I am so grateful to Sue for that." Anna
"Over a year ago I experienced the most excruciating neck and nerve pain down my right arm later diagnosed as ‘spondylosis’. After many treatments with a chiropractor costing huge sums of money nothing had improved. I knew Sue Barclay well and embarked on one-to-one sessions with her for the Alexander Technique. This has been a life changing experience for me and I now use the technique on a daily basis – what I have been taught never leaves my mind. I think about how I walk, how I sit, how I use the computer – it has become part of my everyday life in fact you could say ‘a way of life’ . My neck pain has gone and my posture much improved. During the sessions Sue suggested I might try a little yoga. I have been learning slowly at my pace and it has been an eye opener for me. I had no idea I could achieve what I have. I am fitter and more supple ( making use of these neglected muscles ) and it is great for your mental well-being. I love it. Sue is an inspirational teacher and I would recommend her to anyone." Elly
Dynamic Emotional Integration®
"I found this workshop series engaging and accessible. I had a new revelation every week! And Sue’s guidance really helped me to understand my emotions and develop completely new insights and ways of thinking.
The work we did helped me to approach my emotions differently in part by reframing my own preconceptions. I explored fixed habits in my thinking, and I feel by the end of the course I had a much deeper awareness of what my emotions ‘were’, why they might feel the way they do, and maybe most importantly – what I can learn from them.
I’ve used the approaches and exercises we explored frequently: in my daily life, and also with my students (I am an art Lecturer). I wish that this practice was taught in schools… I think we would live in a healthier society if it were!
Sue’s teaching methods are exceptional, she is clearly highly knowledgeable about the foundational concepts of DEI, and her approach is supportive and focussed. Sue listened carefully to what each participant was communicating and responded thoughtfully to everyone. We also had a laugh, and this made each session fly by.
Not only was the course useful and meaningful but it was also extremely enjoyable! Sue creates a focussed but fun atmosphere, encouraging everyone to feel able to contribute as much or as little as they felt like after each exercise.
I loved the art element of the workshops, and this allowed me to explore my emotions in a way just writing and talking couldn’t. The exercises were simple and clear but allowed for a great depth of exploration. And I was so interesting to see the similarities and differences in how each of us in the group visualised our emotions.
I cannot recommend this course enough. It is so accessible and can be explored on many levels so is suitable for anyone. It could be offered to all ages from children to the elderly, and people of all different backgrounds and with different life experience. Rosie
“Dynamic Emotional Integration (DEI) is a must for anyone who wants to develop a healthy relationship with their emotions, and find a method to befriend themselves. This course is very accessible and immediately practical and usable in day to day life. There are plenty of resources to enhance understanding of DEI in between sessions. Sue is a gifted facilitator. She is very skilful at implementing the work of DEI in a creative and meaningful way. Her workshops meet each participant individually in their life, and the group work is creative and supportive. Be prepared for a transformative paradigm shift that is grounding, inspiring and lasting!” Alanna
"I wasn’t quite sure what I had signed up for a the start but I am so glad I did. I was immediately put at ease by Sue’s relaxed and happy way she presented very complex principles in packages that were accessible by anyone. Rather than words, we used drawing of colours, patterns & images as a language to communicate to each other what each emotion meant to us. The fact that our emotional literacy has not improved since about age 5 shocked & saddened me. The biggest thing I took away from the course was that feelings like anger, sadness etc pass through many different stages which we would not recognise as being related to their overall heading. Understanding how we as individuals deal with these early indicators, what overall heading they come under, and what will develop if left unheeded helps us welcome them. We can then engage with them and react appropriately. So I am looking forward to starting the follow on course.” Robert
"Although Sue sent materials in advance of the first Dynamic Emotional Integration workshop I took part in, I didn’t really ‘get’ it until I was on Zoom with six strangers discussing my gut reaction to a ‘family’ of emotions. Sue is a gifted and intuitive guide to excavating emotion. Even on an arm’s length video platform she knows instinctively how to read the room. We strangers quickly became comfortable in one another’s company and, confident we were in a safe space, all sorts of dormant memories and moments of clarity emerged. Initially, I intended to join for four just weeks, but my Saturday mornings were so enlivened by the mix of talking about – and drawing - emotions, that I decided to keep going onto Sue’s second course, which dug even deeper. The drawing – or mark making – with the non-dominant hand (for me, the left hand), was a major plus. Sue’s background as an artist allows her to gently guide participants into drawing out their emotions. My inner critic was immediately silenced. I was amazed at what found its way onto the blank page. So much so that two months on, I am still doing a left-handed drawing a day and I feel it has opened up something in me that was itching to get out." Jan
"Sue's courses have, for me translated the therapeutic "Given" that feelings emotions is beneficial in healing, into a practical and simple way of understanding, relating to and channelling emotion. I have found the courses highly beneficial to myself, and therefore also to my clients. the theory is easy to follow, the practices are straightforward and the artwork a neat (effective) way to integrate the material." Ann (Psychotherapist)
"Doing DEI with Sue gave me an incredible insight into the inner workings of my emotions. Giving me a better understanding of how my emotions serve me, positively or negatively, and how I can use them to my advantage. Learning to use mark making in this course, as a way of unlocking the true nature and power of your emotions was a wonderful tool to discover and I will definitely be using it in the future." Gabby
“I thoroughly enjoyed taking park in Sue’s DEI workshops. It was the first time I was introduced to emotions in this way and feel as though I have stepped in to a new world of insight. I loved using art as a way to express myself and begin to understand my own emotions and how I relate to them. Sue created a very open, comfortable and warm environment where I could share my thoughts on what we were learning, as well as ask any questions. I look forward to continuing to practice the mindfulness techniques we were taught and deepen my understanding of DEI.” Diana
“I attended Sue’s introductory DEI course and found it very valuable, it really changed my perspective on how I view my emotions. Sue creates a very welcoming environment, and a judgement-free zone for accessing your creative side (which I was a it nervous about!). There are also some really useful practical techniques explored in the final session that have been a really positive addition to my day-to-day life since attending the workshop.” Gail
“I joined this series of workshops out of curiosity. However the knowledge I have learned is vast an life changing. Su follows the work of Karla McLaren. Her approach is both enlightening and interesting. She calmly and meaningfully leads and explains new concepts whilst encouraging participants to explore visually some challenging ideas without pressure. The first four workshops were really just an introduction to a vast topic. But were hugely enjoyable, enlightening and informative.” Suzanne
“I would highly recommend the Dynamic Emotional Integration training workshops. Each workshop was completely enlightening and thought provoking and I have gained so much from participating in them. I am able to carry this knowledge with me into my personal and professional life. I am really looking forward to delving further in this training with Sue, who delivers the workshops so creatively and is such a wonderful teacher.” Yan