Frederick Matthias
Alexander (1869-1955) formulated the Alexander Technique in response
to his own vocal problems that threatened his work as a Shakespearean
actor and reciter. As the medical advice he received was unable to cure
his loss of voice, he embarked on ten years of self-observation to identify
particular patterns of reaction that were causing his hoarseness. He
also discovered that he used unnecessary tension in other activities
apart from speaking. By avoiding harmful tension and encouraging free
and efficient movement, he gradually cured his own vocal and breathing
problems while at the same time improving his general balance, co-ordination,
and health generally. Alexander Technique is now widely used, not only
in the performing arts where its origin lies, but by ordinary people
who wish to learn less stressful ways of moving and behaving in order
to address a fundamental cause of the majority of back and neck problems,
overuse problems etc.
F.M.
Alexander
who developed the
Alexander Techinque