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F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) began his professional life in Australia
as a reciter of the works of Shakespeare. During recitals, his
voice would become hoarse, and sometimes he would lose his voice
altogether. Since medical doctors could find nothing physically wrong
with him, Alexander decided it must be something he was doing while
reciting that caused the problem. After many hours of observing himself
before a mirror, he discovered various ways he was using himself that
were causing his voice problems. With practice, he also developed a
technique for changing his usage and correcting his voice problems.
Word of Alexander's success spread and before long, other actors and
reciters were seeking his help. Alexander, along with his younger brother, set up a thriving teaching practice. To reach more people and to spread his discoveries more widely, Alexander moved to England where he became a very successful teacher. Later, he also taught in the United States. In 1931, Alexander established a formal training course so that his work would continue on after his death. He also wrote four books explaining his technique. Today there are many Alexander Technique training courses throughout the world and hundreds of trained and certified teachers. Intitially, people from the performing arts were drawn to the technique, but more recently, people from all walks of life facing many different issues have found much benefit from lessons in the Alexander Technique. |