FM Alexander

Frederick Matthias Alexander 1869 – 1955 was born in Tasmania.
As an actor and recite he suffered recurring voice problems that experts were unable to solve. Through a dedicated process of self observation of his own way of moving and speaking, he discovered it was something he was doing himself which was causing his problems.

During a lifetime of study he went on to discover that how he thought and reacted had a direct bearing on his quality of movement and his functioning in general.

By learning how to direct his thinking reasonably, fluidly and creatively he found a solution to his problem that had far reaching effects. His persistence, patience and dedication were truly remarkable. These long periods of investigation eventually led to Alexander discovering powerful principles that  influence  all movement.

Realising the importance and implications of these discoveries for others, he began to share his observations and to educate and help many people according to the principles he had uncovered.

Among the supporters of the Alexander Technique in the past were Bernard Shaw, and Aldous Huxley, Nobel prize winners Professor Tinbergen and Neurophysicist Sir Charles Sherrington.

More recent students include Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Rickman, John Cleese, Yehudi Menuhin, Dame Judy Dench, Sir Paul McCartney, John Hurt, Victoria Wood, Ben Kingsley, Linford Christie, Sebastian Coe and Sir Colin Davis