JACOB GOLDING

The Alexander Technique

A new way to live, breathe and be.

My Journey with Penny and the Alexander Technique.

In 2018, while working at Cooper Screen Academy, I met Penny McDonald, fresh off a world tour with Hugh Jackman. I had never heard of the Alexander Technique before, but from the moment I saw Penny’s work, something clicked. There was an immediate sense that this was something important. Over the next few years, Penny helped guide me into the world of Alexander Technique, and it quickly became integral to my life—intertwining with both my theatre and film work. It wasn’t just about movement or posture; it became essential to my well-being.

When I moved to Melbourne in 2020, Penny continued to support me, even from afar. Through Zoom sessions, she helped keep me grounded during the intense lockdowns, and I can confidently say that those sessions were one of the key factors that helped me survive that time. In 2021, when I returned to Hobart after the pandemic, my body was a mess. My back was in constant pain, and after seeing a chiropractor who suggested an intense treatment plan, I turned to Penny. During one of our walks, she stopped me in my tracks and said, “We will fix your back, you, me, and AT.” And just like that, we began working together, with the Alexander Technique helping to heal my body, mind, and spirit.

In March 2022, during my birthday celebration, Penny suggested we read a play together with our friend Sam Tooker. I’d never seriously considered working on a play outside of school, but it seemed like the perfect way to reconnect with our creative bodies after COVID. That simple idea turned into our production of True West—a testament to what can happen when you follow your instincts and trust the process. Seven months later, we staged True West, with the Alexander Technique guiding us the whole way.

After the success of True West, Penny and I continued to work together while Sam traveled. When he returned, we launched into our next project, This Is Our Youth. With higher stakes and a bigger vision, we applied the same principles of Alexander Technique to the rehearsal process, keeping ourselves grounded in the present moment. The show culminated in a successful run at the Theatre Royal Studio—another project made possible by the Alexander Technique’s focus on presence, breath, and connection.

Fast forward to May 2024, Penny and I were grabbing coffee before a workshop, and she asked me, “Do you want to be an Alexander teacher?” Without hesitation, I said yes. It was one of those moments where everything aligned, and it felt like the question we’d been waiting to ask all along. Now, I’m knee-deep in my teacher training, on track to graduate as an Accredited Alexander Technique Practitioner on June 3, 2026—a date that also marks Penny’s 30-year anniversary as a teacher.

The Alexander Technique has profoundly changed my life. It’s given me the ability to think clearly, move freely, and stay grounded, no matter what challenges come my way. More than that, it’s deepened my connection with myself and others. This heightened awareness and presence have fed into every aspect of my life, including my support and community work, like The SESSIONS Project. The practice has allowed me to connect more meaningfully, offer authentic support, and create spaces for others to grow and thrive. It’s more than a practice—it’s a way of living with presence, freedom, and purpose. 

And I owe so much of that to Penny and the Alexander Technique.

How do I get involved?