The Alexander Technique is required learning at some theater and performing arts schools, including Julliard, because of its ability to improve breathing and movement, but the method can be useful for people in other walks of life, too. If you're interested in testing the Alexander Technique, visit a trained therapist--most offer a sample session so you can get a sense of how the method might benefit you.
History
An actor named F.M. Alexander created the Alexander Technique in the 1890s as a way for actors and singers to improve their breathing so that they could sing and speak better, but the method quickly gained recognition as a method for treating respiratory difficulties. The technique evolved into a whole-body method of therapy that taught people to re-learn the natural and correct ways to stand, sit and move after a lifetime of unlearning them. The method gained popularity with actors and intellectuals, including George Bernard Shaw, John Dewey and Aldous Huxley.
Identification
A typical Alexander Technique session has two parts. In the first part, an instructor guides you through everyday movements in front of a mirror, adjusting your incorrect posture where necessary and gently manipulating your body so that you can reproduce the correct postures on your own. The second part of the session involves bodywork, in which the instructor manipulates your muscles to relieve tension. Most people need a few sessions with a trained instructor, but once you've mastered the techniques, you can use the Alexander method at home.
Significance
The Alexander Technique works on the principle that people develop bad habits over time and that those bad habits affect the way they move, talk and breathe. Over time, those bad habits can lead to chronic pain, muscle tension and clumsiness. Paying close attention to the way you move helps you recognize problematic postures so that you can correct them, so the Alexander method concentrates on helping people become more aware of how they use their bodies.
Benefits
The Alexander method has several benefits. It can help reduce chronic pain and mobility. A 2009 study at the University of Southampton co-authored by Dr. Paul Little found that 45 percent people who participated in two Alexander method sessions each month for a year reported that their mobility improved by as much as 45 percent. The Alexander Technique can also improve coordination, balance, strength and stress and may help improve some forms of depression.
Misconceptions
Don't go into an Alexander Technique session expecting to learn specific exercises or get specific bodywork. Although the Alexander Technique does incorporate both exercise and bodywork, there's no fixed set of movements. Each session is individually tailored to you and your specific needs. It can take several sessions to get comfortable with the methods of the Alexander Technique, so you may not notice immediate results, according to the American Society for the Alexander Technique.
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