What is the Alexander Technique  

The Alexander Technique is a highly practical method of self-care that teaches you how to prevent excess muscular strain in your body. It promotes ease and efficiency of movement, enhanced balance and coordination, improved vocal and respiratory function, and a more reliable sensory perception.

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Built into us as human beings is a natural poise and coordination, an ability to move and maintain posture with ease and efficiency. Unfortunately, we often interfere with this ability through habits of movement and thought. Young children, who generally move with ease, balance and confidence, far too often grow up to be adults who move with effort, fatigue and stiffness. The Alexander Technique teaches you how to reverse and prevent this degenerative process by helping you become of aware of, and stop, the habits that interfere with your natural poise.

 

Many of the problems musicians experience with both chronic pain and/or diminishing coordination are due to poor postural and movement habits that are often exacerbated by long hours of practice and performance. Most of these habits are cultivated unconsciously, and in fact might not even seem wrong or harmful at all. The Alexander Technique helps you to recognize these habits for what they truly are, and gives you the means to allow yourself to make healthier and more natural choices for the way you play music.

An Australian actor named Frederick Matthias Alexander discovered the Technique over 100 years ago. In finding the solution to his own vocal and respiratory troubles, he came to develop a practical technique applicable to improving any human activity.

 

Today the Technique is taught worldwide, both by teachers in private practice, and at universities and performing arts conservatories such as The Juilliard School of Music and Dramatic Arts, The Royal Academies of Music and Dramatic Arts in London, USC and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

 

Lessons in the Alexander Technique can help you:

  • Reduce or eliminate chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
  • Prevent repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel
syndrome.
  • Play music with significantly less effort and tension
  • Improve your coordination
  • Improve your breathing
  • Improve your posture
  • Improve the quality of your voice
  • Manage performance anxiety
  • Practice music more efficiently and effectively

Read about how I've applied the Alexander Technique to successfully address my own problems as a musician. (My Story)

 

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