History

The founder of the Alexander Technique was an Australian actor, Frederick Matthias Alexander. He was born in Tasmania and as a young man pursued a successful career in the theatre until a severe vocal problem almost forced him to give up. Medical assistance was sought, and doctors prescribed resting his vocal chords and not speaking for weeks at a time.

Resting only brought temporary relief for Alexander, and his problems still continued. He would lose his voice half way through each and every recital. In desperation, he concluded, along with his doctors, that it must be something he was doing to his body on stage that was causing his voice to go hoarse.

An absolute determination to find the real root of his problems led him to discover certain fundamental truths about human activity, co-ordination and movement. And by observing his reflection in mirrors, he discovered that he tended to shorten his neck and pull his head back when he was poised to speak, putting pressure on his vocal cords and creating tension throughout his whole body.

Over a period of many years Alexander developed a Technique which not only eliminated his vocal problems but also brought about remarkable improvements in his general health. He came to London in 1904 and was encouraged to teach his Technique to others. It became popular among actors and was enthusiastically embraced by literary figures such as George Bernard Shaw and Aldous Huxley and many of the leading doctors and scientists of the day. Alexander continued to develop and teach the Technique in London and America until he died in 1955.

There are now Alexander Teacher training courses all over the world, and the Alexander Technique is part of the curriculum at many music and acting schools worldwide.