The Alexander Technique (AT) is an educational method for acquiring constructive, conscious control of habitual reactions. Our reactions have thinking, feeling, sensory-motor, electrochemical, and other aspects. AT focuses on the sensory-motor aspects: our postural-movement habits or how we use ourselves.
Even the simplest activities -- sitting, walking, talking -- can be understood as psychophysical processes entailing the unity of the so-called 'mental' and 'physical'. Many problems considered exclusively 'physical' cannot be solved without involving our thinking-feeling processes as well. Conversely, our thinking-feeling also has 'physical' concomitants. With AT, you learn how to "think in activity" -- to observe yourself, become aware of undesirable patterns, stop them and direct yourself with less tension and greater ease.
Originated by Australian actor and teacher F.M. Alexander (1869-1955), AT evolved out of his discovery of patterns of tension between his head, neck, torso and other areas that resulted in loss of voice during performance. AT teachers use simple activities and gentle verbal and manual guidance to enhance sensory awareness and facilitate movement and breathing. AT is taught in many drama and music schools and is popular with performers. It has benefitted people with neck and back pain, postural disorders, breathing problems, hypertension and stress-related conditions.
-- Bruce I. Kodish, Ph.D., P.T., © 1998
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