He was an Australian actor (1869-1955), who when suffering from a recurring vocal problem, sought help from the medical profession, and when failing to find it, solved his own problem, then went about teaching that solution to others.
His theories are validated by modern science, including the experimental work of Dutch physiologist, Rudolph Magnus, who confirmed the dominant role of the head reflexes in the total reflex response, and most recently, Benjamin Libet, who investigated readiness potential in muscular movement. The value of Alexander's research and teaching has been acknowledged by scientists like Sir Charles Sherrington and by Nicholas Tinbergen, who upon his receipt of the Nobel prize in 1974, gave half of his speech to praising the empirical work of F. Matthias Alexander.
There are currently training schools for Alexander Technique teachers throughout the world with an agreed-upon standard for qualification to carry on Alexander's teachings; as well as teachers who have apprenticed with teachers who were themselves taught by Mr. Alexander. Research continues to be carried out on the Alexander work, and the Alexander Technique is taught at major American and European colleges, conservatories and universities.
Contents © Copyright 2006 Lester W. Thompson (except where noted), all rights reserved