The Alexander Technique came about to help F.M. Alexander solve a voice problem that no doctor or other practitioner knew how to address. As far as they were concerned, he was fine even though he kept losing his voice, a serious handicap for an actor.
He discovered through trial and error, using a mirror to observe himself, that his problem came from unconsciously compressing his neck and overall posture especially when performing which was affecting his vocal cords.
As he worked with people, in a mind and body way, he realized that bringing about a state of expansion was helping everyone in so many different ways from posture related issues to breathing issues or performing challenges. In some ways, it helps us reclaim the best way to be in our body as much as possible in each individual specific situation.
The Alexander Technique was developed in Australia by F. M. Alexander (1869 – 1955), an actor with a voice problem that doctors and voice teachers were unable to cure. It took him years of extensive self-study and research to solve his problem, but he did, improving his general health at the same time.
Misuse of the balance between his head, neck and back was in fact affecting the functioning of his voice and his breathing. He also found this misuse to be a common condition, stumbling unexpectedly onto an aspect of human behavior and physiology significant for the development and well-being of humans.
The Alexander Technique is taught in countries all around the world by teachers who have successfully completed a 3 year training program. It is in the curriculum of the Julliard School of Music, The American Repertory Theater, Ohio State, among others, and it has been taught at M.I.T. and Boston University.
Scientific research on the Alexander Technique was conducted by Professor Frank Pierce Jones at Tufts University. Prominent physicians at Children’s Hospital, Mass General and other Boston area hospitals refer patients to Alexander Technique teachers. It has also been recommended over the years by other health practitioners and performing arts teachers.