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Absolute Beginner’s Guide to the Alexander Technique

Most of us have unconsciously accumulated various tension habits which interfere with the ways in which we function. Poor posture, lack of energy, and neck, back, and shoulder pain are among the many consequences.

The Alexander Technique is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The Technique teaches you how to use the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, thus making more energy available for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of your mind and body. It can be usefully applied to all of your daily activities.

Who Studies the Alexander Technique?

People of all ages and occupations have recognized the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique in improving physical and psychological well-being. Over the years, a number of famous individuals have endorsed the Technique, including two Nobel Prize winners, George Bernard Shaw, Aldous Huxley, John Dewey and, more recently, Paul Newman, and John Hurt and a great many other actors, musicians and dancers.

Where Can I Learn the Alexander Technique?

There are several thousand Alexander Teachers around the word; information about finding a teacher or workshlop can be found at the bottom of the page.

What is an Alexander Technique Lesson Like?

During individual or group lessons, the teacher instructs using a combination of verbal and gentle hands-on guidance. Individual lessons usually last between 30-60 minutes. Dressed in comfortable clothing, the student explores simple everyday activities and with the teacher’s help learns to to observe and then change habits that interfere with optimal functioning. Students are often surprised to find they are being asked to think about themselves in completely new ways. Although the basic principles of the Alexander Technique are extraordinarily simple, they can take some time to learn because most of us are not used to this sort of self-examination.

Who was Alexander?

F. Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) was a Shakespearean actor whose voice problems almost brought an end to a very successful career. After doctors and vocal coaches were unable to help him, he set out to find out for himself the cause of his problems. During years of rigorous self-observation and experimentation, he solved his vocal problems, and went on to develop what is now known as the Alexander Technique.

Getting Started

If you’d like to find out more about the Alexander Technique, or find a teacher in your area, there are a great many Internet resources available to help you. The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique web site is the most extensive and probably the next logical site to investigate. The main Alexander Technique professional societies also have very helpful web sites as do a number of individual Alexander Technique teachers. All of these sites contain information about how to find a teacher, articles on different aspects and applications of the Alexander Technique, information on how to locate books about the Alexander Technique, links to a great many individual Alexander Technique sites, and even an email discussion group which anybody is free to join. Click on the links below for:

The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique International
American Society for the Alexander Technique
Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique