MASUMI KISHIMOTO

What is the Alexander Technique?

 The Alexander Technique is an educational process of body and mind that enable you to become aware of natural sense of balance. Any one can learn it, regardless of age or state of health. Using everyday movements, such as sitting, standing and walking, you will explore your unconscious habits, learn to more freely and develop a greater sense of wellbeing.

 Who can benefit?

Whatever you do (music, dance, acting, typing, swimming...), AT can help you it better and feel better.

AT helps:

• to relieve stress and bacl pain

• to overcome postural difficulties

• to breath more easily

• to improve balance and co-ordination

• artists and sports people to improve their skill

Who was F.M. Alexander?

 Fredoric Matthaias Alexander  was an actor, born in Australia in 1869. When he devoted himself to a career as a Shakespearean actor at an early age, he constantly struggled from hoarseness and respiratory trouble. His doctor and voice teacher adviced him to rest for a while, but when he eventually return to the stage, his respiratory problems returned as well. After he made several attempts to resume acting, he noticed the symptoms would dissapear as long as he did not recite. This convinced him that somthing he was doning was source of his problem speaking on the stage. After years of observation, he found that his movemnt habits gave him a stiff neck, which in turn caused him to move back his head and depress his larynx.

 Alxander continued his research and found that by preventing certain habitual movements, he could improve the functioning of his voice. Eventually, his practice evolved to the point where he became completely free from habitual misuse of his head and neck, and he regained command his vocal powers completely. He returned to his career on stage and started to teach the technique to actors with gentle hands-on guidance.

 Today, the Alexander Technique is recognized as a practical method for self-improvement all over the world.