Alexander Technique

F. Matthias Alexander was an Australian actor and a teacher. Born in 1869, he originally developed the Alexander Technique as a method of vocal training for performers like singers and actors in the 1890s.

The Beginning

"Necessity is the mother of invention", as a part of his own personal battle while Alexander was developing his method of voice training. Along the way he realized that the basis for all successful vocal education was an efficiently and naturally functioning respiratory mechanism. He discovered that breathing and vocalization were intertwined. He realized that "physical" habits or "mental" habits are all psychophysical in nature. During the entire process, he observed that the way we think about our daily activities actually determines how we coordinate ourselves to do those activities and also as to how long-held habits of excessive tension and inefficient coordination affect how we feel and think. In a relatively short period of time, Alexander evolved his technique from a method of vocal training into a method of breathing re-education and then into a comprehensive technique of psychophysical re-education.

Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique describes a concrete means for overcoming the impeding habits by helping people learn better and do things more freely. Alexander demonstrated that the difficulties most people experience in learning, in control of performance and in physical functioning are caused by unconscious habits. These habits have a tendency to interfere with the natural poise and the capacity to learn. As per Alexander, when one stopped interfering with the natural coordination of the body, one would become capable of taking on more complex activities with better self-confidence and presence of mind.

Alexander Technique lessons are a unique and practical means of actually stopping and changing habits that you would want to change. However, the lessons are not available in a form of a therapy rather, it teaches the individual to experience more a natural coordination. Repeating these experiences that consist of natural, fundamental movement helps stimulate the individual's coordination mechanisms by making them more accurate. It also helps develop their ability to choose better coordinated responses to stimuli which are completely non-stressful. At this point, the individual is able to make changes in the habit, which usually lasts throughout the lifetime. The individuals learn to change tension habits that have been built up over a lifetime.

The techniques described by Alexander do not involve exercises, any form of medical therapy or treatment, forms of psychotherapy or spiritual healing techniques. It also does not involve any manipulations of bodywork or manual healing techniques. This technique does not look at a body as a set of separate parts or pressure points that have to be individually worked on. A teacher skilled in this technique will guide the students through movements which are patterns of coordination including tension and postural patterns.

It is important to understand that the Alexander technique may not be effective for everyone. On an average, a student may require almost 40 lessons before they can see any difference. A goal has to be set which can be based on the teacher’s perception of success. In some cases, the undoing of old habits may also trigger an unpleasant emotion that formed the basis of development of the bad habit in the first place.

Benefits of Alexander Technique

The Alexander technique has been proven very helpful for people dealing with chronic pain, excessive stress and injury. It has also been used by performing artists to enhance performing techniques. To gain the benefits from the Alexander Technique, it is important to take the time to learn it from a teacher who is fully qualified and can help one learn how to release tension and rediscover balance of mind and body. Increased awareness can help one be poised without any stiffness and move with grace and power. These techniques also help one breathe and speak more easily by being calm and confident.

F. Matthias Alexander died in 1955 but his invaluable discovery will continue to help millions for the centuries to come and I believe that the day is not far when the Alexander technique will be incorporated in all educational curriculum throughout the world.