About Me

It's my belief that life is all about choice and being happy. What we do, when we do it and how we want to be. At least I lead my life to the best of my ability by these precepts. Where I look is where I go and what I think is what I get, by and large. Sometimes though it's difficult to choose as there are so many wonderful things to do!

Photography is my passion, either in my traditional darkroom with an enlarger, or outdoors with my Hasselblad or Leica. I particularly enjoy the early morning light in spring and autumn. It is also great listening to such wonderful music as Faure, Borodin and Bach, learning to playing my violin, country walking in the Chilterns, writing, and also my work which is not work at all but one of the greatest pleasures in my life.

Wherever I put my mind, be it one of these activities or any other, such as meeting friends or simply asking for life to go smoothly, then that's what seems to happen, often with favourable results. Going with the flow is not just a saying, but a way of life. I follow my intuition and instincts, visualise what I want, and then let it happen. But if it doesn't work out the way I hope, then maybe it's not for me at present and maybe there are other opportunities waiting to be discovered. Sometimes things happen in the most fortuitous and unexpected ways that are even better than imagined. I tend to approach things with passion and intensity but hopefully from a point of stillness. Being rather pragmatic and down to earth I see things as they are, but am also very aware that things may be different from what they seem.

My 'work' with the Alexander Technique is about helping people improve their health and well being and be more successful. They learn to free themselves of unwanted postural habits to improve their balance and co-ordination. By making appropriate choices for themselves they rediscover the natural poise they enjoyed as young children. In principle it's a simple and practical technique that can bring profound benefits including enhancing abilities and performance in sport, business or the arts as well as reducing stress and building self-confidence. And it's usually great fun.

It's wonderful having so many different and interesting clients to see every day. But although they are all very different, the one thing that they have in common is the wish to help themselves. The Alexander Technique gives them a basis to do just that. I've been using the Alexander Technique for over thirty-three years and I can honestly say it's helped me make the most of myself in so many different ways and it underpins my view on life in general.

Having time to stop and do nothing can be a challenge when there are so many things I enjoy doing. So I usually rise at 5.30am, and being a Scot, stoke up on porridge and tea. I get to work for around 6.30am and after logging on for new emails, I usually play one of my violins for twenty minutes or so when no-one else is around to hear. Good job! Then I'll write my next book for an hour or two before seeing my clients for the day, which usually ends around 7.30pm. Evenings are given over to dinner and relaxing with my partner and sometimes I'll play a wonderful 18th century violin for a while before retiring to bed early.

My photography is rather restricted to the weekends at the moment. But I get up at a similar time so I get three hours developing and printing done before a second breakfast and a day with my partner or seeing friends. I just love having variety of things to do that are challenging, creative and rewarding. Most of all I enjoy having fun. And it's good to laugh.

Credentials
Member of Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique
Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society
Member of RPS Contemporary Group
Member of MonoGroup, London

Noel age 3