“I KNOW Jay Foote is an incredible bassist, but I CHERISH Jay Foote because he has made it possible for me to keep playing the bass.
(He) has an ineffable gift and that, accompanied by his dedication to music, makes him a very special healer.”
— Meshell Ndegeocello; artist, songwriter, and bassist
“It’s no exaggeration to say my daily life was changed by my sessions with Jay. Not a moment goes by that I don’t adhere to what he taught me. He’s a patient, insightful, great instructor.”
— James McNew; multi-instrumentalist and bassist for Yo La Tengo
“I felt very present and relaxed, stable yet nimble, unusually patient and calm. But mostly, I felt like my heart had expanded somehow. I felt almost absurdly peaceful toward the world and myself. Maybe it's (Jay’s) calm, empathetic delivery that made me feel seen and truly cared for, but I realized that I actually felt kinder toward myself, as if I'd remembered how to be kind to myself for the first time in a long time.”
- Robert Espe, violin/saxophone and life-long learner
I had chronic back problems and other health care professionals told me that was all that could be done. I was familiar with the Alexander Technique having attended workshops in the past. Since working with Jay Foote on a regular basis, my back pain has been significantly reduced. In addition, my overall ease of movement, particularly when I play the piano has improved considerably. I have found Jay to be an extremely knowledgeable and effective communicator of the Alexander Technique and would highly recommend him.
—Paul Ferrone, Managing Partner of Ferrone Olson LLC, and former Executive Director of the Des Moines Symphony
“I was so impressed with Jay’s empathy and creativity as he instructed me in the use of the Alexander Technique. I truly appreciated the fact that, instead of coming into the sessions each week with an agenda, he listened to me, pondered the specific issues I was dealing with at that particular time, and then, based upon his extensive knowledge of body mechanics, came up with creative approaches to my daily activities to alleviate the back pain I was experiencing.”
—Jane Kennedy, pianist, retired Information Technology Analyst
I met Jay when he was my graduate assistant. Over the years, his amazing talents as a musician and an AT teacher have had a positive impact on me. Jay has helped me become more aware of my personal space and physical body’s needs. For that reason, I traveled to New York City regularly for that hour to become more in touch with how my presence and posture affect not only me but the perception that others have of me. I am confident that Jay will be able to assist you as a talented AT teacher whose gentle, caring, patient and skilled ways will meet your needs both to reframe your mindset and benefit your body’s balance and posture. New York’s loss is Iowa’s gain!
—Michael Chirichello, Ed.D, life-long teacher and learner
“Jay's approach has created space for me to deeply change, notice more about myself, and include self-compassion while navigating change. I have been working with Jay for over 6 years and continue to find support and growth in every single session.”
— Alice MacDonald; Somatic Therapist, Alexander Technique Teacher, Performer, and Educator
“I’ve had the privilege to work with Jay Foote both privately and as a student in an Alexander Technique training course in which he was an instructor. I came to Jay years ago hoping to solve tendonitis issues plaguing my career as a drummer, yet what I got was exponentially more. Through his guidance I now have effective ways of managing my tendonitis and began a journey into Alexander Technique that positively changed how I play my instrument in ways I couldn’t have imagined. His care for his students is immediately apparent and his experience as a musician and performer provides invaluable insight into the AT process.”
— Bryan Bisordi; drummer and teacher in NYC
“Jay, as a teacher, is both gentle and quietly bold, giving good direction with directive insight. He is extremely kind and applauds every minor improvement. He instinctively encourages students to optimize their body alignment in a way that suits them. He educated me on the concept that there is a difference between something feeling 'wrong' and something being 'habitual' instead. And this resonated with me in a deep way … I walked out of a room holding my head up high, loose, and with a smidge more poise than when I entered it.”
—Sabbath Schrader, RN, owner of Sacred Health Des Moines
“Studying the Alexander Technique under Jay Foote, was an illuminating experience into the process of noticing my habits, patterns and physical posture. With Jay's teaching, and patience, I was able to bring awareness to my breath, and the tension in my body, which allowed for the idea that change is possible. Jay helped me come to the conclusion that the Alexander Technique can help transform my awareness of the physical body, much like meditation can help transfer awareness of the mind.”
— Tim Lappin; Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and student of life
“Jay fulfilled his life's dream of being a successful musician in NYC through his study of the Alexander Technique. In the process, he has become a wonderful and talented teacher of the AT. Jay will be able to help you with whatever your overall balance and posture needs are, as well as, your specific issues and interests.”
— Ann Rodiger; Founder/Director of the Balance Arts Center, NYC
“Jay's teaching is direct and specific, and his experience as a professional musician adds a depth to his instruction that I have found really valuable. (He) was my introduction to the Alexander Technique, and I can never thank him enough.”
— Mike “Maz” Maher; Grammy-award-winning trumpeter in Snarky Puppy
“Jay is an intuitive and talented AT teacher. In just a few lessons I began to experience relief from chronic pain that interfered with playing my instrument. The process changed my perspective on how I held tension in my body, which is something acupuncture, massage, etc. hadn’t addressed. I highly recommend taking lessons with Jay and beginning your AT journey.”
— Beth Callen; guitar for Broadway’s “Head over Heels” & “Jagged Little Pill”
“Jay is an incredibly skilled practitioner of the Alexander Technique. Not only does he masterfully address the physical, but also the mental aspects of the person with great insight and empathy. What we do is as much impacted by how we think as it is by how we act, and Jay has been instrumental in teaching me not only how to perform at a high level with consistency, balance and ease, but also how to approach that performance with mental clarity and control. It is no hyperbole to state that I would not be doing what I’m doing were it not for his excellent work and care.”
— Nate Lueck; multi-instrumentalist for Broadway’s Come From Away
“After only a few lessons I began to experience playing music pain free. Through Jay’s clear explanations and the gentlest of physical guidance, he helped me become aware that habit had me unconsciously tensing muscles I didn’t need when doing everyday movements like sitting, walking, and standing.”
— Clint Greenlee; teacher
