Idioteex

What do Sheila Hancock, Michael Caine, Joanna Lumley, John Cleese, Madonna, Sir Colin Davis, Juliet Stevenson and Paul McCartney have in common? They have all discovered the benefits of the Alexander Technique.

And they are not alone. The Alexander Technique is taught at RADA, the Royal College of Music, and similar institutions worldwide. It has helped performance artists of all disciplines deal with a wide range of problems including: 

physical pain including headaches, back pain and repetitive strain injury
injuries
breathing problems
impaired co-ordination and balance
fatigue and poor concentration
lack of confidence, anxiety and stage fright 

The technique was developed in the 1890s by Frederick Matthias Alexander, an Australian actor who was looking for a solution to his own problem. He specialised in giving public readings but kept losing his voice when performing. Doctors were unable to find a cause or suggest a cure. Using mirrors, he studied himself closely and noticed there was unbalanced tension throughout his body when he was speaking. He worked out ways of correcting this tension, and his voice returned to normal. What had begun as a self-help project soon attracted wider attention and Alexander’s technique was endorsed by several leading doctors and scientists. He spent the rest of his life teaching it to others.

The idea behind the Alexander Technique is simple enough: most people use their bodies automatically and don’t notice bad postural habits creeping in. For example, a brass player concentrating on giving a flawless performance will be unaware that he is putting unnecessary pressure on his neck by tilting his head, or that his weight is not evenly balanced on both feet. He will know that his frequent backache is affecting his playing, but might not realise that it’s the way he holds his instrument that is causing the pain.  

If bad habits are corrected, the symptoms they cause will disappear. Unfortunately, telling someone to ‘sit up straight’ or ‘walk like this’ rarely helps. The body is very adaptable and poor posture can feel comfortable while correct posture seems awkward and difficult to achieve.    

The Alexander Technique is not a therapy or exercise system. Its aim is to teach individuals to become aware of exactly how they use their body, to recognise potentially harmful tension and consciously release it. A qualified Alexander Technique teacher guides students to gradually re-discover their own natural posture and explore ways of moving that enhances their performance while using minimum effort and reducing the risk of causing damage.

A welcome side effect of gaining more control of their physical movements is that many performers find they develop a new sense of calm and self-confidence.

All singers, actors, dancers, musicians and other performance artists can benefit in some way by learning the Alexander Technique at any stage of their career. If you want to know more, look for someone who is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique and will be happy to discuss your particular needs.