Who was Frederick Matthias Alexander?
As a young man, F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) was a shakespearean actor touring
in Australia and Tasmania. A chronic hoarse voice interrupted his burgeoning
career, consequently losing his voice while performimg. When no medical
treatment helped him, he looked at his own use for the source of his vocal
problem. After nine years of rigorous self-observation and experimentation
using 3 way mirrors, he not only solved his problem, but developed a full,
rich voice and discovered what he named the Primary Control.
What is Primary Control?
Alexander observed that the relationship between the head, neck and torso
is primary in controlling movement and function. Compressive movement habits
interfere with the body's ingenious design. Learning to consciously master
the primary control restores the innate postural reflex- a natural, dynamic
force that counters gravity and easily guides the spine to lengthen upward,
facilitating release of undue tension and economical motion.
Is The Alexander Technique Scientifically valid?
Leaders in the field of mind/body medicine and behavioral science throughout
the twentieth century have supported Alexander's innovative research.
Clinical studies have shown that the Technique improves breathing capacity
and posture,
modifies stress responses and is, for those who suffer from chronic
pain, the preferred method for long term relief. Neuroscientists today
continue
to conduct research on the Technique: A 1999 controlled study in The Journal
of Gerontology (Medical Sciences) showed it improved both balance and
functional reach in a group of older women (Dennis). In another controlled
study of breathing function in healthy adults, 20 Alexander lessons improved
chest muscle function (Austin). In an Uncontrolled study that year, participants
in a multidisciplinary pain management program said The Alexander Technique
helped more with chronic pain than several other relaxation or exercise
programs they had tried (Fisher). Overall, The Alexander Technique is
currently the best documented and the most thoroughly researched of all
the Mind/Body disciplines.
What happens in a lesson?
In a lesson, the objective is to first observe your habitual movement patterns
in simple daily activities such as sitting, sit to stand, stand to sit
and walking. I will then help you to understand how your movement style
may be interferring with your Primary Control, causing you undue tension
and pain. My use of intentional verbal and tactile cues serve to elicit
a new, greater ease of movement experience. In time, you can learn how
to function painfree and with minimum effort on your own.
How many lessons do I need? What does it cost?
Studying the Technique is rather like learning to play a musical instrument.
Thus, how long you study depends on your initial condition, personal goals,
motivation and above all practice and patience. However, a recommended
course is 20-30 private lessons. Each Lesson is 50 minutes. The cost
is $75.
Will I always need lessons?
NO! The Goal of The Technique is to give you a tool for life. What you learn
in a lesson you can apply independently with all your activities.
One has to make the discovery for oneself, starting from scratch, and to find what old F.M. Alexander called "the means whereby," without which good intentions merely pave hell and the idealist remains an ineffectual, self destructive and other-destructive " end gainer" - Aldous Huxley
