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Testimonials for Alan Mars

Alan Mars -
Teaching Alexander Technique since 1982

Alan offers a unique combination of Alexander Technique and vocal coaching for those who want develop their speaking and/or singing voice. He has taught at many top London drama and music schools. He has also taught presentation skills and voicework at many top British and international companies since 1992. Alan now teaches privately in Brighton & Hove and offers courses and personal coaching in London and across the UK.

The testimonials below range from the early 1990's up until 2011. They are held on record ( letter, email and LinkedIn ) and are available for inspection if required. 

 

I enlisted the help of Alan in 2007 when a new role required a large degree of public speaking, something I had not been accustomed to. He used a number of techniques with me which all produced the required results and I am pleased to say went beyond just being able to speak in public in a clear, concise and professional manner. Alan has a varied approach calling on a vast array of methods from the conventional to the not so conventional, not dissimilar to the voice coach in the Kings Speech, but they are his tried and trusted methods and I am pleased to say, they worked for me.

Service Category: Business Consultant
Year first hired: 2007 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value

Richard Leadbetter, Finance

Alan Mars has presented several workshops for the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique Continuing Professional Development Programme. Alan has detailed knowledge of his subject and his workshops are relaxed and friendly. All participants receive confidence and ecouragement from him and there is a good balance of relaxed learning with in-depth knowledge of an interesting subject. I would have no hesitation in hiring Alan again.


Service Category: Alexander Technique Teacher and Vocal Coach
Year first hired: 2010 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative


Stephanie Smith, Alexander Technique teacher & coordinator of STAT's CPD programme


Dear Alan, Thank you very much for the fantastic morning you facilitated for us last Tuesday. It has been appearing in conversations between staff ever since and seems to have lifted the entire team in readiness for the new year. Some staff described you as the best outside trainer we have had!

Brian De Lord, Chief Executive of The Pupil Parent Partnership (2008)

I can highly recommend Alan Mars for his superb work as an Alexander Technique teacher, and in particular to voice work and presentation skill. I have seen him transform, in a  gentle way, the way people relate to their voice. He gets people up on their feet and projecting their voice with a power and clarity that is amazing. His approach is everybody can use their voice effectively ( singing or speaking ) it is only our thoughts that get in the way; he has a great knack of changing or removing those thoughts.

Richard Brennan, Director of ATTCI and author of 6 books on the Alexander Technique.

Alan is a highly skilled teacher of the Alexander Technique tailored to meet your specific issue. In common with many of my gender I can get a bit 'frozen' if aggression arises in the office. It's annoying that girls don't get the same early training as boys, in fact we get the opposite and instinctively try to pacify. Great for social scenarios but not for situations when the bullies are rampaging the office. So Alan taught me some of the tricks from his Alexander Technique bag and literally within 24 hours I was holding my own and remaining calm enough for my brain to work. I also did some co-presenting with Alan as part of some team building sessions and again he wow'ed them with his physical solutions to perceived 'emotional' problems. Give it a go! I promise you can be more in control and remain calm in those testosterone filled occasions. Alan can help you level the playing field."

Service Category: Career Coach
Year first hired: 2003 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity

Fiona Brownsell, Finance and Banking

Alan worked with me on a one to one basis and was inspirational and great fun. I have also worked with him within a group. I would recommend his services to anyone who feels they want to increase their personal skills and confidence in making an impact publicly, in meetings or any other interpersonal situation.

Service Category: Career Coach
Year firsted hired: 2006, and hired Alan Mars more than once
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative 

Godfrey Owen, Chief Executive, Brathay Trust

I started Alexander Lessons with Alan initially intending to try it for 6 sessions to work on posture, voice (speaking and singing) and presentation skills. As someone with a tendency to laziness and ill-discipline I am always on the look out for easier ways of doing things and Alan is a polymath in the intelligent and efficient use of the body and voice. I have been having lessons on a regular basis for the past 3 years in part because of Alans engaging and expert teaching style but also because I find the lessons seem to incorporate elements of yoga, pilates, physio, relaxation and mindfulness meditation - without the effort of going to a class.

The other great thing for me is that I don't have to set aside time for formal practice as - much like minfulness meditation - I practice the Alexander Technique in everyday life - walking the dog, running, getting in to the car. As a health professional I have to know the principles of how something works - and Alan has a great, humourous and uncomplicated teaching style -  but I also need evidence that something works and the main reason I keep having lessons is the benefits I have noticed - better posture, an end to chronic low grade back pain, a stronger easier freer voice and as a runner I have been able to improve my running economy and stay free from the usual chronic injuries, aches and pains I used to put up with before having lessons.'

Dr. Rick Clarke

Alan Mars introduced me to Alexander Technique over 25 years ago. I have returned to take classes with him at intervals, and have always found them invaluable. What appeals to me about Alan's approach to Alexander Technique is its freedom from mystification and jargon and the subtlety of Alan and of Alexander's methods. I have no hesitation in recommending Alan and AT to potential clients.

Dr. Christopher Abel

Alan is a passionate and inspirational presentation skills coach. My delegates walked into the room and then skipped and bounced out of the room full of confidence and practical tips. Alan has a very unique voice and manner which draws delegates towards him and encourages them to take risks. Alan uses Alexander Technique to improve breathing, posture, walking, spatial anchoring and overall confidence in presentations - my delegates adored him - and his harp! Would recommend him with a capital R!

Service Category: Presentation Skills Coach
Year first hired: 2000 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative

Cheryl Ann Winter, Personal & Team coach

I attended two of Alan's excellent presentation skills workshops and came away feeling much more confident about standing up in front of a group.

Alan's workshops are different from conventional presentation skills workshops as they focus much more on our inner skills, ie how to be more fully present when we stand up and speak - body posture, eye contact and connection with the audience, voice, pace etc. Alan works with small groups of people which felt very safe giving each participant individual attention which was hugely beneficial and supportive.

I came away feeling that I had learned a lot of very practical tools to improve my presentations and as a result I felt so much more confident even excited about doing a presenation which I had never felt before. I had been a master at avoiding presentations, now I take every opportunity! Thank you, Alan."

Karen Liebenguth, Environment and Coaching

 Alan introduced me to the teachings of Alexander and not only sorted out my architects' back but helped me walk tall. I strongly recommend his teaching."

Robin Nicholson, Architect

I contacted Alan because I was in a new role where I conducted ceremonies - often in large rooms or outside areas - without a microphone.  As well as concern about projecting my voice, I was lacking in confidence about my public speaking and presentation skills. 

Alan approached the resolution from a completely different angle and it was so much more effective than the standard 'Presentation Skills' courses which I have tried in the past.  It was a relief to not have the constant focus (and therefore pressure) on the result.  Instead, Alan used a combination of approaches (I won't give too much away) which included the Alexander Technique and vocal experimentation.  He helped me to find and release an ability that I didn't know existed rather than having to adopt a voice that felt as though it belonged to someone else!

Alan's approach is unusual and it works.  He is also very patient, calming and funny.  If you want tension-free learning and to build confidence in your presentation skills - this is your man!

Prue Heron, Celebrant

Alan Mars is like a breath of fresh air, easy to listen to, like Ron seal Alan walks his talk. Authenticity is written right through him - just like Brighton Rock! Stop thinking about booking him JDI ( Just Do it) you will not be disappointed!!!

Service Category: Voice Coach
Year first hired: 2009
Top Qualities: Expert, Good Value, High Integrity

John White, Coach

 

I just wanted to say I loved your style, humour, warmth and openness. I have just started my executive coaching company and hope to have as much passion as you exude. I thought your workshop was light, fun and enjoyable and just what we needed after hours of intensity!

Monica, delegate at NLP Conference voice workshop (2008)

 

Thanks once again for the session you spent with me in March. It boosted my confidence ten fold.

David, (Best Man speech coaching session 2010)



 



 

 

ALAN MARS - m: 07930 323057 e: alan.mars@yahoo.co.uk

Alexander Technique/ Voice Coach/ Presentation Skills Confidence Training London, Brighton Hove - Alan Mars