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Alexander Technique
What is the Alexander Technique?
We all have our own pattern of movement which is a reflection of our
thoughts, experience and conception of self. Our movement
coordination is generally excellent as a birthright. However,
activities that were once easy and taken for granted can often
unwittingly become laden with fatigue, tension and unwarranted effort.
The ease and freedom we once had is what we seek to restore. The
Alexander Technique is an educational process where the student learns
about his or her own movement patterns and how thinking directs
movement coordination.
The Alexander Technique has been used by actors and singers for voice production and
performance enhancement for over a century; and for musicians
utilizing the technique, the improvement of the whole body
coordination facilitates the use of whatever parts may be involved;
such as embouchure, keyboard technique or bow arm. While Alexander Technique has been
used by artists and performance professionals for well over a century,
the Alexander Technique has direct relevance to the general population and can be applied to any daily activity. Even simple and routine physical
challenges such as sitting, standing and walking can be made
tremendously more efficient, effective and pleasurable through the
application of the fundamental principles of the Alexander Technique . The
student's needs and interests are addressed in each lesson with the
assistance of a qualified teacher; through dialogue, direction of
awareness and hands-on work. Looking at a specific activity, such as
working at the computer, can help us transform an onerous and tiresome
task into an activity which is pain-free and even invigorating.
F. M. Alexander (1869-1955) was an Australian actor and reciter who
developed his technique in response to the repeated and seemingly
unexplainable loss of his voice. Upon developing his technique,
Alexander regained his voice, worked with many actors and theatre
professionals and went on to establish a vibrant teaching practice in
London, England and later New York City.
Experience of the Alexander Technique has led to praise from George Bernard
Shaw, Aldous Huxley, Prof. John Dewey, Sir Charles Sherrington, Julian
Bream, John Cleese, Kevin Klein, Roald Dahl, Robertson Davies and many
others. It is taught at the Julliard School of the Performing Arts in
New York, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Dramatic
Art in London, the Stratford Shakespeare and Shaw Festivals in Canada,
Boston University, Brandeis University and many other centres.
Workshops &
Special Events
2012 Senior Visiting Alexander Technique Teachers:
Peter Nobes
Mar 31-Apr 2
Martha Hansen Fertman
Jun 2-6
Special Events and Workshops being held during these periods will be posted soon.