Heike Walker
Heike holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the Bremen University, Germany. She started her career in the health care field later in life deriving from her passion for movement, especially martial art and dance, and her search for a balanced and meaningful life.
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Heike encountered the Alexander Technique first in dance classes in the early nineties. She was intrigued by how body awareness affects her dancing. Working with the Alexander Technique created more fluidity and openness in her body and new possibilities of moving – with more lightness, ease and clarity! In 1994, Heike began taking lessons in the Alexander Technique which was the beginning of a fascinating journey!
Heike entered a three year full-time training course in the Alexander Technique in Berlin with Dan Armon and graduated in 2002. She has been teaching the Alexander Technique since – both in individual lessons and in workshops to dancers, musicians or anyone interested in working on themselves and gaining self-awareness. Over the years, Heike has helped many Alexander students with neck or back pain, low energy levels or chronic stress – to find more ease and balance both in their bodies and in their lives!
To enhance her practice, Heike entered a medical training course to become a Natural Health Care Professional recognized by the German Department of Health.
She also studied 'Reflexotherapy of the Feet' at the Hanne Marquardt School in Berlin, receiving the Reflexology certificate in June 2008. After immigrating to Canada in August the same year, Heike founded her own company, the Balance Arts Studio offering Alexander Technique and Therapeutic Reflexology.
A few years later, Heike added Bach Flower Remedies to her practice, a gentle complementary modality to address emotional and mental issues. She enrolled in the Bach Flower Education program and completed her studies in September 2014. Now she is a Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner, BFRP, certified by the Bach Foundation in the UK. She incorporates Bach Remedies in her practice to support her client's emotional challenges and processes.
Heike is passionate about work. She loves to learn, and she is continuously educating herself to grow and to stay inspired. Heike feels she gets the greatest inspiration from the work with her clients!
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Since September 2020 Balance Arts Studio is located in Central Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Heike enjoys an active life-style and spends lots of time in Nature on the beautiful island!
Testimonials
"I first visited Heike to try and deal with rehab issues surrounding a hip replacement but soon realized that there was so much more she could help me with. In addition to helping to restore nerve functionality to an area that had been left numb, she was able to work on my incision scar to allow it to heal much more quickly. Because of Heike’s calm kind nature, I always look forward to my appointment!" - Brenda
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​I am feeling better now than when I was in my fifties or sixties. I have been taking Alexander Technique for 5 years, and I contribute my good health and well-being to a great extent to the Alexander Technique!” – Willy
“I began Reflexology treatments with Heike Walker about 1.5 years ago for chronic pain due to inflammatory arthritis. Immediately after the first treatment with Heike, I began to feel relief. Heike is clear and focused in her work. She is gifted and very sensitive to the needs of her clients. I respect and admire Heike’s ability to work effectively with the whole individual. She is friendly, respectful and kind. I recommend Heike to many of my students.”– Jacqui Fownes, Yoga Teacher & Therapist
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“I came to Heike because of debilitating problems I was having with movement, physical weakness, and fatigue. Heike’s skills and natural abilities let the healing and change happen in the best way possible for me, and at a pace that I could manage. My experience with Heike and the Alexander Technique was a huge part of my recovery, and I am very thankful that I had the pleasure of working with such a warm, caring and amazing person. Ever grateful.” – K. D.
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“I found Heike to be a warm, caring and perceptive professional. My main issue was congestion and headaches related to allergies that was affecting my sleep and energy levels. After several sessions, I experienced relief – less congestion, very infrequent headaches and more energy! This was a wonderful experience that I will not hesitate to repeat for any health issue!”– P. Cuddy, Retiree
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“I have severe lower back pain in part due to degenerative disc disease. Since taking lessons in the Alexander Technique with Heike, I have noticed a dramatic improvement in my back. For the first time in many years, I am able to move quite freely and without debilitating pain. For me, Heike is a miracle worker.” – Kathleen Hahn
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Heike helped me through an extremely painful bout of plantar fasciitis. My foot and ankle were very swollen. The day after my first session with Heike, the swelling and some of the pain was gone. She has also helped with lower back and joint pain. I am big fan of Heike. She is very knowledgeable of her craft and is a kind and caring person. I recommend her to friends and colleagues." – Kim
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