History of the Technique

Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869 - 1955) was born in Australia, and trained as a recitor. His early successes were cut short when he developed a voice problem. Doctors could only advise rest, which helped temporarily, however when he was on stage his hoarseness returned. He recognised that if the problem was there under certain conditions but not under others, then he must be doing something to himself that was in some way interfering with his reciting.

He went on to observe himself through the use of mirrors to find out what exactly he was doing, and came to the realisation that his whole self was involved in the problem, and that moreover he couldn't stop doing the interfering even when he knew what it was!

His painstaking observations led him to find a way to change his deep seated habits; and his discoveries began to find recognition. In around 1900, he moved to London to further develop his work. He taught until a few months before he died at the age of 86.