The Alexander Technique is a method of re-educating the body and mind to overcome bad habits of posture and movement and to reduce physical and mental tension.

Development of the Alexander Technique

The technique was created by an Australian actor Fredrick Matthias Alexander. Born in Tasmania in 1869, he recited Shakespeare and poetry for a living. Worried about a habitual loss of voice whenever he worked, he started to observe himself carefully. He noticed that when he started to speak, he pulled his head back and tightened his throat. He discovered that his usually poor posture felt normal and the new posture which reduced stress on his throat, felt strange. Practising his new regime of speaking without pulling his head back, he soon felt healthier and more self-confident. His hoarseness vanished and never returned. This inspired him to spend nine years studying himself and developing the Alexander Technique.

Alexander then began to observe others and work with them. He noticed that they too suffered from bad postures and inhibited movements: neck sunk into torsos, back humped, or vertebrae contracted. He developed a method by which they could retrain their bodies and improve their posture and movement. His method was built on the discovery that there is a working relationship among the head, neck, and back or torso that promotes maximum stretching of the spine, thereby easing movement throughout the body.

In 1932, Alexander moved to London and published his book, The Use of Self. His list of famous clients included Aldous Huxley, George Bernard Shaw, and Archbishop William Temple.

Alexander died in 1955 in London, but his work is still carried on by the members of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique.

Alexander agreed with the views of osteopaths and chiropractors that the spine plays a central role in promoting fitness and well-being. But unlike them, he attributed maladjustment directly to habitual misuse. He also perceived a relationship between physiological and psychological attitudes, that is, a slumping mind or spirit is the likely tenant of a slumping body, and muscular tension may reflect emotional unease. Many people slouch because it comes naturally, but the aggregate product of years of slouching is a misshapen, poorly functioning spine. The greatest challenge raised by the Alexander Technique is to unlearn old habits.

How the Alexander Technique Works

The teacher of the Alexander Technique, often using his hands, guides the pupil to rediscover his actual posture, movement, and balance. He lays stress on the neck and head and their relationship to the rest of the body. The patient is made to understand that since the body’s natural balance has become unnatural as a result of continuous stress, the latter must learn to regain the balance by increasing his daily awareness of posture and movement. An improvement in the body posture and movement will affect the body functioning positively.

The Alexander Technique does not consist of exercises nor can it be learned from a book alone. It must be demonstrated by a qualified teacher, who adapts the instructions to suit an individual pupil. The teacher demonstrates the correct use of the body by arranging the pupil’s body in the correct position so that he or she can feel what is right. Many people are initially confused because postures that feel comfortable through habit are, in fact, wrong. The aim is to return people to the state they were in before they began making postural mistakes induced by tension, trauma, over-soft furniture, and habitual laziness.

The gradual re-education of the body involves visualising yourself moving correctly while lengthening the body at the same time. The head has a key role to play. It can be described as a locomotive pulling the body train, or as a structure suspended from a hook, allowing every part of the body to fall into correct alignment.

The Alexander Technique is infinitely subtle and sophisticated and requires perseverence to obtain lasting benefits. Teachers train for three to four years, and most pupils need about 30 sessions.

The test of the success of the Alexander Technique centres around the key word practice. The teacher cannot go beyond a point: actual progress lies in the hands of the pupil who must practise the improved style of posture and movement.

Recommendations and claims of improvement for the use of the Alexander Technique seem to fall into four categories:

1. Chronic conditions: Therapy for backaches, stiff neck, asthma, headaches, depression, ulcers, spastic colon
2. Skill development: Relaxation techniques for use during physically active moments
3. Performing arts: Economy of movement for dancers
4. Personal transformation: As a discipline for self-help, self-improvement 

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Named after its creator, the Alexander Technique maintains that habitual bad posture and movement causes physical and mental stress. Conversely, correction of posture and movement restores the balance in the body, thus releasing emotional uneasiness too.

Using no drugs, the Alexander Technique can provide effective therapy for posture-related chronic conditions. Most people require about 30 sessions to correct postures. ‘Practice’ is the key word for rendering it effective. Though affordable, it is mostly used as an adjunct to other healing systems.