ALEXANDER
TECHNIQUE
What is The Alexander Technique?
A proven approach to self-care, the Alexander Technique is a
method that people of all ages and abilities can learn to relieve
the pain and stress caused by everyday misuse of the body.
With the Alexander Technique, you learn how to strip away the
movement habits and tensions patterns at the root of your discomfort.
You learn how to balance your own body and take charge of your
own health. You learn how to sit, stand and move - with safety,
efficiency and ease.
The Alexander Technique practitioner, a professional trained
in the art of observation and expert guidance, leads you through
a one-on-one learning process tailored to your needs. Over a
course of sessions, your teacher helps you release muscular
tension and restore your body's original poise. As you address
your entire body - not just segments - you learn to improve
your overall functioning.
Who
was F. M. Alexander ?
Put mouse over image to see animation
of F.M. Alexander
Frederick
Matthias (F.M.) Alexander, was born in 1869 in Wynard, a small
town on the north coast of Tasmania. He was an actor. who liked
to perform Shakespeare, and gave solo shows in Australia.
He developed an early interest in Shakespeare, and determined
to become an actor. He trained as a reciter in Melbourne, supporting
himself with various jobs, but began developing vocal and throat
problems. Continuing with his career never-the-less, he was
forced to begin his investigation into the problem when chronic
hoarseness began to seriously affect his ability to perform.
When no medical treatment helped him, he looked at his own movement
for the source of his vocal trouble.
Through nine years of rigorous self-observation and experiment,
he solved his problem, developed a full, rich voice and discovered
what he named the primary control.
Alexander observed that the relationship between the head, neck
and torso is primary in controlling posture, movement and function.
Compressive movement habits interfere with the function of the
body's ingenious design. Eliciting the primary control restores
the innate postural reflex - a natural, dynamic force that counters
gravity and easily guides the torso upward.
Leaders in the field of mind/body medicine and behavioral science
throughout this century have supported Alexander's innovative
research. Clinical studies have shown that the Technique improves
breathing capacity and posture, modifies stress responses and
is, for those who suffer from chronic pain, the preferred method
for long-term pain relief.
Having solved his voice problem, he worked in Auckland New Zealand,
Melbourne and Sydney, giving performances and teaching his new
method for "changing and controlling reaction". He moved to
Sydney in 1899 and was director of the Sydney Dramatic and Operatic
Conservatorium between 1900 and 1904.
Moving to London in 1904 he worked with actors and others and
wrote his first book, Man's Supreme Inheritance, published in
1910. He wrote three further books, The Use of the Self, Constructive
Conscious Control of the Individual and The Universal Constant
in Living.
He lived in the United States from 1940 to 1943 and died, still
working, in London in 1955.
