Liz Patula's Biography

I grew up in Southern Illinois outside of Carbondale, attending Carbondale Community High School followed by Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  From the ages of 10 through 23, I suffered from serious back, neck, and shoulder pain.  I tried various methods of treatment, but nothing solved my problem on a permanent basis.  While I was in college, I worked with two teachers of the Alexander Technique who showed me specifically what I was doing to cause my pain and then the appropriate changes I could make in the way I used myself in daily activity.  Within three months, I had made enough changes (with their continued guidance) to completely eliminate the back, neck, and shoulder pain from my life.

After receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Music from SIUC, I decided to train to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique.  I was so moved by finally being able to control (eliminate) the pain from my life that I wanted to show others the same thing.  I trained for three years at Alexander Technique Urbana (http://www.synidetics.com/) directed by Rose Bronec and Rick Carbaugh.  This is a teacher training course for the Alexander Technique approved by AmSAT (American Society for the Alexander Technique).  My teachers shared with me the knowledge of how to work with others and improve my own use along the way!  During my last year of training, I took practice students for no fee to gain experience working on persons with various difficulties, and I also assisted in two University of Illinois Department of Dance classes designed to introduce the Technique to dancers.  For more information on the training courses and the Alexander Technique in general, please visit www.amsat.ws   

In the four years since completing my training, I have had the privilege of working with a variety of individuals from the Southern Illinois region.  Many students come to find out how they can ease (and often eliminate) their pain.  Others want to optimize how they perform at their crafts, including music and horseback riding.  And, some come just to enjoy the experience of bettering themselves and learning how to think and use themselves in a new way.  Recently I have also had the privelege of being hired by Southern Illinois University Carbondale to teach an Honors course in the Alexander Technique. 

I work out of two offices; I share a beautiful old house with two other body workers at 210 East Jackson Street in Carbondale.  I also work out of my office on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  I keep hours by appointment, and I charge $30 per lesson ($20 for students).  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the Alexander Technique. 

Liz Patula, Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique

(618) 528-3344   lizpatula@yahoo.com