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F. M. Alexander In UCL Alexander quotes from Anthony Ludovici’s book, The Truth about Childbirth (1937), where Ludovici writes about the importance of Alexander’s technique for pregnancy and childbirth. For example, on the consequences of faulty coordination and wrong use of self:   Suppose that, through faulty coordination and wrong use of self – and […]

Also mental disorder, mental illness, psychiatric disorder.   Writings ‘Working with retarded people’ by Yaara and Gal Ben Or; notes from three case histories.[1]   See also Psychology, and under individual conditions.   References [1] ‘Working with retarded people’ by Yaara and Gal Ben Or in The Congress Papers 1996, Back to Basics edited by […]

The benefits of the Alexander Technique for aging and older adults have recently been more well documented.   The term ‘older adults’ refers to people in what is also termed old age, the elderly, or senior citizens (US: seniors).   F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander does not specifically address aging, but does reproduce a […]

F. M. Alexander There is a picture of Alexander holding a pen in the slideshow on this Companion homepage. He was a keen letter writer.   In CCC Alexander describes a case with a pupil whom he recommended to take frequent breaks while writing:   A pupil of mine, an author, had been in a […]

Teaching school teachers the Alexander Technique.   Books The Thinking Teacher’s Body by Harriet Anderson. Inspired by the Alexander Technique, written for teachers, trainee teachers, and all those involved in teacher training and development.[1]   Articles ‘Teaching the Alexander Technique to trainee school teachers – An ongoing research project’ by Grant Ragsdale; an interim report […]

Alexander was concerned about education of the young, because many potentially bad habits could be prevented at an early age. He saw the future of civilisation dependent upon development of the conscious and rational powers of children. His views would be regarded as progressive for his times. He writes in MSI:   In this matter […]

The ability of a falling cat to turn, from whatever starting position, to land on its feet has been used in the Alexander Technique by some teachers to illustrate 1) the righting reflex existing in most mammals and some other animals, and, in some cases 2) the ‘head leads and the body follows’ principle.   […]

F. M. Alexander’s view on philosophy At the beginning of the first chapter of MSI, Alexander states that his work is not influenced by a particular school of philosophy:   Speculation as to what first influenced that strange and wonderful development [the evolution of humans] does not come within the province of this treatise, but […]

This article covers the application of the Technique to the workplace and the teaching of the Technique at the workplace, on site. (This entry excludes music, dance and acting colleges, hospitals and schools, see below).   F. M. Alexander Although there are references to the application of the Technique to work in Alexander’s writings, there […]

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander taught several doctors, especially in the 1920s and 1930s. In UoS Alexander dedicates a chapter to ‘Diagnosis And Medical Training’. Here he writes that   No diagnosis of a case can be said to be complete, unless the medical adviser gives consideration to the influence exerted upon the patient, […]

Ergonomics is here used in the restricted sense of the adaptation of humans for the workplace and the adaptation of work equipment for humans, primarily for the purpose of comfort, productivity and safety.   F. M. Alexander criticised the concept of a ‘correct type of chair’ in MSI:   And I may note in this […]

‘Taking inhibition onto the roads’ by Barry Collins; on applying the Technique while training to be an Instructor/Observer with the Institute of Advanced Motorists.[1]   References [1] ‘Taking inhibition onto the roads’ by Barry Collins in STATNews vol. 8, no. 3 edited by Jamie McDowell (STAT, May 2013), p. 19.

‘Teaching Alexander Technique in the community’ by Astrid Holm reports on teaching mainly women in Whitehawk, outside Brighton, an area with more poverty and crime than neighbouring areas.[1]   References [1] ‘Teaching Alexander Technique in the community’ by Astrid Holm in STATNews vol. 6, no. 12 edited by Ann James (STAT, January 2004), pp. 20–21.

Card games – Poker ‘Poker’ by Jerry Sontag discusses the ‘poker face’ and regards the ability to deal with boredom as a more important factor.[1]   ‘How to read a poker player’s body language’ by Charlie Schultz; on the reasons for applying the Alexander Technique to playing poker, and using observation skills to interpret a […]

This entry covers three issues, using the Alexander Technique to the teaching of foreign languages, how to translate concepts and instructions, and sign language.   The teaching of foreign languages ‘Reducing the fear’ by Margaret Nicolson argues that the Alexander Technique is very useful in teaching languages to adult students, particularly in a group setting […]

‘The weaker sex?’ by Richard Gummere are musings on the fact that the majority of Alexander Technique teachers are women and his belief that ‘women could deepen the philosophy of the Alexander world’.[1]   ‘The role of women in the growth of the Alexander community’ by Alexander Murray pays tribute to some of the women […]

‘Fascism and democracy in the human mind’ by Israel Charny compares a ‘fascist’ attitude of the mind – of power, of control, of a singular idea – with a democratic attitude, characterised by complexity, process, diversity, contradiction, paradox.[1]   ‘Coordinated decision-making’ by Catherine Kettrick and Diana Bradley on using formal consensus as developed by C. […]

Teaching the Alexander Technique in other cultures ‘Sticking to principle – Teaching Alexander in Ecuador’ by Glenna Batson; on teaching a group of artists in 1993 and 1994 in Ecuador and how a different culture challenged the author’s teaching to a new approach.[1]   ‘Crossing hemispheres’ by Robin Gilmore contain reflections on teaching at the […]

F. M. Alexander on Freudian psycho-analysis In CCC, in the section ‘Need for Substituting in all Spheres the Principle of Prevention on a General Basis for Methods of “Cure” on a Specific Basis’, Alexander criticises psycho-analysis:   Another form of treatment to which I should like to draw attention in this connection is psycho-analysis. This […]

As F. M. Alexander maintained that the human organism is a psycho-physical whole, he did not specifically address psychology separate from the use of the self or what generally today is described as mental health issues. However, later (from the 1980s onwards) some teachers of the Technique have argued that teachers should have some knowledge […]

F. M. Alexander Alexander wrote on the subject of fear in several of his books, often using the term ‘fear reflexes’, but also referring to ‘nerves’, discouragement, worry, fright (including stage fright), and anxiety.   The most detailed description is Chapter VI in CCC which is titled ‘Unduly Excited Fear Reflexes, Uncontrolled Emotions, and Fixed […]

F. M. Alexander On being asked whether Alexander dealt directly with people’s emotional and psychological problems in the context of the training course, Walter Carrington answered: ‘The answer is: no, he definitely did not. He didn’t deal with them at all. I rather think he walked away from it. It was something he didn’t want […]

Parkinson’s is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder.   The benefits of the Alexander Technique for people with Parkinson’s disease (PWPD) were first highlighted by Chloe Stallibrass’s research in 1997 (see below for research papers). Several teachers have reported on working with PWPD. In 2016 Monika Gross started The Poise Project, a nonprofit organisation, with an […]

Alexander makes several references to the use of eyes in his writings and talk, although he did not prescribe any specific activity for the use of the eyes. In his teaching he asked his pupils to keep their eyes open, to see, to look.[1] As did A. R. Alexander.[2]   References in Alexander’s writings, talk […]

Also mental disorder, mental illness, psychiatric disorder.   Writings ‘Working with retarded people’ by Yaara and Gal Ben Or; notes from three case histories.[1]   See also Psychology, and under individual conditions.   References [1] ‘Working with retarded people’ by Yaara and Gal Ben Or in The Congress Papers 1996, Back to Basics edited by […]

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander mentions a number of breathing problems in his early writings. ‘Excessive and harmful lowering of the air pressure in the respiratory tract’ tends to ‘cause congestion of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract on the sucker system, setting up catarrh and its attendant evils, such as throat disorders, […]

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander made several references to a number of conditions, including asthma, which were relieved or ‘eradicated’ (in the sense of disappearing) as a result of the general level of health from better use and functioning.   Alexander in his writings also blamed the cause of asthma (as well as several […]

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander discusses the nature of addiction in MSI, referring to the examples of drugs, tea, alcohol, wine, sugar.[1]   It is important to keep in mind that different men and different women fall victims to some particular stimulant or drug, whilst they are in absolute mastery of themselves where other […]

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation.   Writings ‘Hazards and hope’ by Wendy C. Morris reports on how the Technique helped – and didn’t help – in recovering from childhood sexual abuse.[1]   ‘We are sexless, not!’ by Nicola Hanefeld; on the subject of sex being consciously or unconsciously part of lessons, and of […]

Trauma, traumatic injury, grief.   Articles ‘Grief’ by Vivien Schapera; on bereavement, grief resulting from a death, and how it affected her use.[1]   ‘Effects of childhood trauma’ by Rachel Mausner with Jano Cohen argues that Alexander lessons may awaken suppressed trauma memories, because it releases tension; it explains the different levels of reactions to […]

F. M. Alexander Sir George Trevelyan’s diary entry of Wednesday 27 January 1937 records Alexander talking about sex:   Many of the failures in marriage, F. M. contends, are due to the failure on the part of the man to inhibit and hold back. In response to his excitement he stiffens, therefore often enough preventing […]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition which can affect the brain and/or spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.[1]   Writings ‘Multiple Sclerosis and the Alexander Technique’ by Jennifer Tweel Kelly is a teacher’s autobiographical case history.[2]   References [1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/. Retrieved […]

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory muscle disease characterised by progressive muscle weakness and wasting, especially affecting the arms and legs.   ‘Teaching a student with Inclusion Body Myositis’ by Lauren Hill, Dennis Chada; a teacher and a pupil writes about how the Alexander Technique affects IBM.[1]   References [1] ‘Teaching a student with […]

Hypermobility here refers to Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – Hypermobility Type (EDS-HT), also known as Hypermobile EDS (hEDS).   Writings ‘Hypermobility syndrome’ by Julie Barber; on the importance of early diagnosis, describing the typical hypermobility symptoms and stating that the Technique can help.[1]   ‘A poignant Friday afternoon in Limerick in August’ […]

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have: increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue (extreme tiredness), muscle stiffness.[1]   Writings ‘Find physical and emotional support’ by David Orman relates on using the Technique to cope with […]

‘Working with a Dystonia sufferer’ by Doris Prügel-Bennett reports on working with Val Cross, a Dystonia sufferer, who then also provides her own experiences of how the Technique helps her.[1]   References   [1] ‘Working with a Dystonia sufferer’ by Doris Prügel-Bennett in STATNews vol. 7, no. 2 edited by Ann James (STAT, May 2010), […]

‘Alzheimer’s-related dementia’ by Ulli Pawlas reports on how the author works with people with dementia.[1]   References [1] ‘Alzheimer’s-related dementia’ by Ulli Pawlas in The Congress Papers 2008, From Generation to Generation Vol. 2 edited by Jean M. O. Fischer (STATBooks, 2009), pp. 201–08.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, aka Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy.   Writings ‘Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease’ by Claire Quinn writes on how the Alexander Technique is helping her manage her condition.[1]   References [1] ‘Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease’ by Claire Quinn in STATNews vol. 6, no. 26 edited by Ann James (STAT, September 2008), p. 22.

‘Working with a cancer support group’ by Penny Ingham; on working with a local cancer support group since 1988, seeing pupils referred by medical staff, around 16 people a week, about two thirds of whom are cancer patients, the rest supporting partners and bereaved.[1]   ‘Teaching cancer patients’ by Hélène Corrie reports on teaching the […]

The term ‘back problems’ here includes back pain, disability, injury, and deformity.   History Alexander only makes passing reference to back problems, mainly because Alexander emphasizes the educational aspect of the Technique, but probably also because historically low back pain only became a prominent problem after World War II.[1] Since the 1990s most introductory books […]

‘Ambient awareness’ by Kay S. Hooper; on training children with ADD using sensory awareness games.[1]   References [1] ‘Ambient awareness’ by Kay S. Hooper in Direction vol. 3, no. 8 edited by Paul Cook (Direction Journal, 2010), pp. 9–13.

‘Alexander and Chinese Acupuncture – Different approaches to similar conclusions’ by Nilly Bassan; on the similarities between Chinese medicine philosophy and the Technique.[1]   References [1] ‘Alexander and Chinese Acupuncture – Different approaches to similar conclusions’ by Nilly Bassan in The Congress Papers 1988: Towards Unity edited by Jeremy Chance (Direction, 1994), pp. 40–54.

Also called early reflexes, baby reflexes, retained or unintegrated primitive reflexes.   Persistent primitive reflexes (PPR) are reflex actions that are exhibited by normal infants, but not neurologically intact adults, in response to particular stimuli. These reflexes are suppressed as a child grows, mostly within the first 18 months of birth. These primitive reflexes are […]

The Alexander Technique does not advocate a certain diet. However, it can be inferred from Alexander’s writings that he was in favour of wholesome and nourishing food, and against foods which could adversely affect use and functioning. F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander used the example of people’s addiction to certain food as proof that […]

Cranio-Sacral therapy uses gentle touch to palpate the synarthrodial joints of the cranium, spine and pelvic bones to help regulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.   Writings ‘The Cranio-Sacral System’ by Hil Boode is an introduction to Cranio-Sacral therapy.[1]   ‘The Cranio-Sacral System’ by Hillegonda Boode relating on her own case history of breaking her […]

Chronic fatigue syndrome also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).   Writings ‘The Alexander Technique and M.E.’ by Jan Ellan describes how she developed ‘illness management’ over some time, coping with ME while teaching the Technique.[1]   ‘Chronic fatigue syndrome and the Alexander Technique – the next research project?’ by Annie Whitehead is on her […]

Anorexia Nervosa, often referred to as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterised by low weight, fear of gaining weight, and a strong desire to be thin, resulting in food restriction.   Writings ‘Anorexia Nervosa and the Alexander Technique’ by Briar Maxwell tells her own story of her improving her condition with the Technique.[1]   A […]

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include pain and stiffness from the neck down to the lower back. The spine’s bones (vertebrae) fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine.   Two teachers, Margaret Edis and Ruth Murray, who were both diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at an early […]

  The Alexander Technique – as a process for conscious control – is non-religious, but many people have seen similarities and common themes between some religions and some philosophies.   Alexander’s view on religion At the beginning of the first chapter of MSI, Alexander states that his technique is non-religious:   Speculation as to what […]