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The Alexander Technique is an approach to education is used to recognize and overcome habitual, reactive limitations in both thinking and movement. Typically, the Alexander Technique is learned from individual lessons. A teacher imparts it to his or her pupils via the use of specialized verbal instructions as well as hand contact. The Alexander Technique can also be taught in groups, utilizing short individual lessons that will serve as
example to the rest of the class. The Alexander Technique is named after F. Matthias Alexander, the individual who formulated its principles between the years of 1890 and 1900. He was a Shakespearean orator who began losing his voice at one point in his career. Doctors told him that there was no physical cause for this problem. Alexander then began to observe himself in multiple mirrors at once. He made the observation that he needlessly stiffened his body whenever he was getting ready to speak. After observing himself for eight years, he was able to solve his own voice problems.
Because he was employing observation, Alexander viewed his technique as being scientific and objective. He used self observation and reasoning to make the physical performance of any movement easier. These included standing, sitting, walking, using his hands, as well as talking. Alexander designed his methods to make experimentation and training repeatable. While living in the UK from 1931 until his death in the year 1955, Alexander trained many people in his technique. During the wartime period, he taught his technique in the United States of America alongside his brother Albert Redden Alexander.
The Alexander Technique is meant to impart the ability to make a new choice despite established habits by studying the kinesthetic evidence of how thinking is expressed via movement. Effortlessness and efficiency are the variables used to evaluate the often unfamiliar results of progress that is attained via guided experimentation. Some of the many methods taught include structural anatomy, proprioception characteristics, how habits are formed and refined, as well as practical self observation and the utilization of empirical reasoning.
There are many alleged benefits of the Alexander Technique. On the World Wide Web, testimonies as to its beneficial nature abound. The Alexander Technique should never be used as a substitute for conventional medicine, but rather as a supplement.
A lot of people view the Alexander Technique as first hand evidence of the unity between the mind and the body. It is believe that the practice of the technique results in an improved awareness of one’s surroundings as well as an improvement in descriptive capabilities. Many schools of performing arts integrate the teaching of the Alexander Technique in to their curriculum, as it is said to tremendously benefit students of dance, music, and theater. Certain Olympic sports also train their athletes in the use of the Alexander Technique. For those starting in fitness at any level, the Alexander Technique can also be quite useful. It has also been used as a form of physical therapy for the recovery from severe injuries.
