Although Alexander Technique is not a complex technique, it is surprisingly difficult to define. Any brief definition will sell it short, and it can really only be understood by learning it and integrating it. But a good place to start is to say that it is a thoughtful way of using the body well, without excess tension. Those drawn to it include people with chronic pain problems (notably neck, back and hand problems) and performing artists (musicians, actors, dancers).
Where did it come from?
F M Alexander (1869-1954), an Australian actor with a promising career, found that he frequently lost his voice during performances. When doctors could not help him, he embarked on a process of self-discovery to determine the cause. His problems arose from bad postural habits that were difficult to change. He created a way of saying no to habit, allowing other possibilities to become available. He also realized that his discovery was universal - anyone could use it and apply it to all situations. Alexander moved to England and taught his technique widely during the first half of the twentieth century, later training others to teach it. Today there are teachers throughout the world, and users of Alexander Technique include many well-known names including:
Actors: Paul Newman, Jeremy Irons, Joel Gray, Mary Steenbergen, Julie Andrews, Patrick Stewart, Kevin Kline, Joanne Woodward, John Cleese, John Houseman, Robin Williams, James Earl Jones, Christopher Reeve, Judy Dench, Ben Kingsley, William Hurt, Keanu Reeves, Hillary Swank;
Musicians: Paul McCartney, Sting, Julian Bream, Yehudi Menuhin, James Galway, Sir Colin Davis, Joan Baez;
Writers: George Bernard Shaw, Aldous Huxley, Robertson Davies, Roald Dahl, Jane Brody;
Others: Professor Niko Tinbergen (Winner of Nobel Prize in Medicine), Frederick Perls (Originator of Gestalt Therapy), Moshe Feldenkrais (Originator of the Feldenkrais Method), Terry Gross (host of the NPR radio program "Fresh Air"), John Dewey (American Philosopher), Dr. Andrew Weil, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sir George Trevelyan.
Is it just body work?
Alexander argued convincingly that body and mind are not separable - what happens in one is mirrored in the other. The technique is taught through simple movement. The student is gradually encouraged to apply the technique at all times. Lessons are taught individually. While working on a student, the teacher explains how the technique works, giving the student a working tool. Thus, this work differs in principle from chiropractic work, massage and other forms of treatment. Alexander Technique is not a treatment at all, it is a learned skill. The teacher does not cure the student, but teaches the student a working technique.
How do I get lessons, and how long does it take to learn?
Like all educational processes, there are no guarantees. Alexander insisted that a student take thirty lessons, and that students should have daily lessons. This might still be an ideal way to learn the technique, but impractical for most of us in today's world. People who have the time can benefit from two or three lessons each week, but progress can me made with only one weekly lesson. There is no prescribed minimum or maximum number of lessons. After an initial period, some continue taking regular lessons as part of their routine. A student can stop at any time when they feel this is appropriate. Others take refresher lessons from time to time. Typically, the technique becomes increasingly available with more lessons and over time. The work is pleasant and non-invasive, leaving the student a lot of space for discovery.
Can I learn it from books?
The learning is kinaesthetic, and academic learning on its own is not a route to this knowledge. Alexander and others have written extensively about the technique. Reading these books is a useful supplement to lessons, but is not a substitute.
Finding a teacher
Teachers can be found in most areas of the United States. For a full list of registered teachers who have completed the training defined by AmSAT (American Society for Alexander Technique), check the AmSAT web site. This web site also lists several trained teachers in the San Francisco/San Jose area.
More information
The worldwide web contains a huge amount of information on Alexander Technique. Here are some suggested resources.
What happens during a lesson?
American Society for the Alexander Technique
Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique
Very good articles on the Alexander Technique by George Lister
Alexander Technique and playing the violin
Alexander Technique - Robert Rickover's Complete Guide
Some famous Alexander Technique quotes
Alexander Technique books, dvds, videos, cds, etc
Some Photos of F M Alexander
Alexander and his dog (1932)
Sketch (near the end of his life)
Teaching Professor John Dewey
Formal portrait
