“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein

BODY IN BALANCE is the name I gave to my weekly classes, teaching a group of young women, descendants of parents from Ethiopia.

Six and a half years ago, my husband and I immigrated to Netanya. We came with the idealistic idea to contribute as much as we could to our surroundings here in Israel. In Switzerland I worked for twenty five years: first as a licensed gymnastics teacher and later, in addition, as a licensed teacher of physical and psychological childbirth-preparation and postnatal exercises, and finally, I added in a three year study course for the diploma for teaching the Alexander Technique.

Here in Israel I started working, teaching the Alexander Technique. This technique helps people of all ages to reeducate their bodies in order to benefit from better posture, to gain better quality of life, to improve self confidence and to overcome all kinds of pains and phobias.

One morning, through a friend of mine, I joined an ESRA meeting. Immediately I was carried along by feeling the atmosphere of dedication and enthusiasm. The enormous amount of voluntary work which is performed in our country is extremely fascinating. Totally inspired I went home after this meeting and thought of ways to contribute something valuable through the ESRA family. 

Nina Zuck, ESRA’s co-chair, listened to my suggestions, understood and immediately had an idea. “There are,” she said, “some hard working women in the surroundings of Hefzibah neighborhood who surely could profit from your lessons.”

About eight younger women are now coming weekly with joy to the Rabin Community Center in Kiryat Sharon. During the first few classes I explained the Alexander Technique. It was very impressive how quickly the women could put what they have learned into practice. Soon I was told by them that lifting things, bending, standing and  sitting had all became a lot easier, and some back and neck pains could be avoided. This was of course very motivating.

Alexander Technique gets taught only on a one-to-one basis. I am supplementing the lessons with my experience as a physical fitness instructor. Now we are training our bodies to the rhythm of music, including the rules of the Alexander Technique. A nice group dynamic is already starting to develop. At the end of each class we have fifteen minutes of relaxation which are most pleasant for the women.

I feel privileged to be able to do this rewarding job. Giving is always also receiving. Not only is it nice to see the women improving and enjoying themselves, it is also very interesting to get in contact with the Ethiopian culture and to hear of their background and the dramatic experiences of their journeys to Israel. To experience all this is the best benefit one can wish for.

Movement is life, life is movement!

My best wishes to the ESRA organization; many thriving success stories.