The Alexander Technique was created by Frederick Matthias Alexander, a Shakespearean actor and speaker, while trying to cure himself of chronic laryngitis in the late 1800’s. After repeatedly consulting doctors with no relief, he began to examine his body in mirrors to observe any indications of what could be causing his issue. In his own observations he found that he was forcefully stiffening his entire body while speaking, and thus began an eight year self-observation that established evidence of his habitual movement and thought patterns being a source of his voice problems.

Alexander technique is based on the ideas that humans develop habitual patterns of thinking and movement that contribute to inefficient coordination and excess tension. These patterns affect breath, body alignment, posture and free-flowing movement of the body, while creating new habits based on past repetition and faulty sensory feedback. In short, if you have created an aware habit of putting stress on your body by leaning forward while sitting in front of a computer, you may make additional adjustments that are in alignment with the unhealthy habit, instead of relaxing and lessening the stress on your body through your sensory feedback.

Perhaps when you were younger, you stooped down lower because of a desire to seem shorter, but now you are unaware that this pressure and tension in your posture is causing pain. Alexander Technique seeks to put the body back into a sense of coordination and allow the body to relax and regain its natural composure. Among the benefits reported by students of AT are improved awareness and stamina, clarity in thinking, more balance and grace, enhanced objectivity and feeling younger and more flexible. Some people also use it to control phobias, unwanted reactions and depression, while still others have used it to help back pain, stuttering, and voice problems.

Looking at the entire body as one organism instead of separate parts, the Alexander Technique guides students to understand their own habits of tension and thought, through observing their active movements. Teachers of the technique use verbal instruction and gentle, hands-on guidance to help align the head, neck, and back, while correcting proper coordination and ease of movement. Each session is tailored to the needs and challenges of the individual student and may include activities such as walking or sitting. There is never a removal of clothing, or any pain experienced during AT sessions. Sometimes the technique is facilitated while a student is relaxing on a table, to assist in putting the student in touch with her sensations without having to stay upright and balanced.

Many teachers of the technique are specialized, helping students improve their golf games, reduce pain or help with certain illnesses. Most sessions are between thirty minutes to an hour, and most teachers recommend at least twenty sessions, up to and over forty sessions.

The Alexander Technique has gained notoriety in many settings, from alternative healers, to classrooms and conventional medical practitioners. It is taught in many dance schools, and sometimes coupled with other healing modalities. AT is oftentimes used by yoga teachers, physical therapists, and speech pathologists, to name a few. The technique can be done as a private lesson, or it can be used in a group, classroom or workshop environment, especially when used to help one with a specialized sport, skill or art.

People take Alexander Technique lessons for varieties of reasons, from self-improvement, to physical healing, and professional improvement. Unlike many alternative therapies, the Alexander Technique has become a mandatory class in many drama and music colleges.

Unlike body work or exercise routines, AT is an educational process that requires a willingness to work with your teacher and be open to new ideas and unfamiliar territory. With each lesson the student learns how to recognize and discover her own habits of tension that hamper good posture and effortless movement. In addition, students must learn to reprogram their bodies to develop new, gravity-centered body alignment, and prevent negative habits from forming or recurring.

When searching for a teacher of the Alexander Technique, it is important to find one who is certified by an AT professional teaching association. Training requires over 1600 hours in a three-year period and requires continuing development courses. There are many sources online to find a teacher in your area.