THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE SELF STUDY
F. Matthias Alexander, the developer of the Alexander Technique was his own teacher and was fond of remarking, "Anyone can do what I did, IF they will do what I did."
By the end of his life, Alexander had come to the conclusion that attempts to put his teaching into practice without the help of a teacher were often not successful. Yet, he did go as far as he possibly could in providing written guidance, in his books as well as in personal correspondence, to those who were really serious about learning his Technique on their own. In a chapter entitled "Evolution of a Technique" in his third book, The Use of the Self (originally published in 1931), Alexander described in precise detail the process he went through to solve his voice problem. This chapter and his 1945 "Preface to New Edition" of that book, in which he addressed the many problems encountered by earlier readers in attempting to teach themselves, contain useful information for anyone who wants to try going it alone.
In addition to Use of the Self, there are three much newer books which can greatly assist in learning the Technique - with or without a teacher: How you Stand, How You Move, How You Live: Learning the Alexander Technique to Explore Your Mind-Body Connection and Achieve Self-Mastery by Missy Vineyard (Click here to read a review of this book), How to Learn the Alexander Technique - A Manual for Students by Barbara and William Conable, and Mind and Muscle - An Owner's Manual by Elizabeth Langford. These, and most of the other books, tapes and DVDs mentioned below are available at The Alexander Technique Bookstore (USA and Canada) in Association with AMAZON.COM and AMAZON.CA or The Alexander Technique Bookshop (UK) in association with AMAZON.CO.UK They are all listed under "Introductory Books and Videos".
Additional self-study resources can be found in Chapter 4 of Thorsons Principles of the Alexander Technique by Jeremy Chance (also available on an audio cassette tape); The Alexander Technique: First Lesson and The Alexander Technique: Solutions for Back Troubles (available in VHS and DVD format), Moving to Learn - A Classroom Guide to Understanding and Using Good Body Mechanics by Michele Aresenault (click here to order Moving to Learn) and Not to 'Do' by Fiona Robb. Fit for Life: A new look at Fitness using The Alexander Technique by Roy Palmer, available as a downloadable eBook, is largely based on the principles of the Alexander Technique.
Additionally, there are a number of helpful, and free, online resources:
Where is the Alexander Technique's 'right brain'? or Use and the Use of Imagery by John Appleton proposes that mental imagery can be used as a powerful way of improving use and functioning. The article includes practical exercises to illustrate this, primarily involving awareness of - and directed attention to - the dorsal and ventral surfaces of our body. It may require some patience- and possibly some exposure to the concepts of the Alexander Technique - to reap the benefits of his concepts and exercises. Click here to read the personal accout of a student who was greatly helped by this article.
The Alexander Technique Email discussion group can be a very useful resource - whether you are studying the Alexander Technique on your own, or with a teacher. The group is open to all, and you can get advice and help from teahers around the world! Go to Alexander Technique Online to join the group. (As with other similar groups, there are a few participants intent on engaging in debate about obscure aspects of the Technique. These can easily be ignored. The group functions at its best in response to questions from students of the Technique.)
Additional On-line material useful for working on your own:
The Performance School Online - An excellent place to start.
Alexander Technique Self Discovery - Includes links to other self-help articles by the same author.
Before and After - Uncovering the Obvious
I've had my first Alexander Lesson -- What do I do Now?
Some Hints on Working with the F.M. Alexander Technique
Learning the Alexander Technique
Notes on a First Lesson: Explanation & Illustrations of the F. M. Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique: Thinking, Seeing, Knowing
UK Alexander Technique Associates - Newsletter often contains self-help suggestions
Uprighting - Click on "Writings" to read several articles useful for self-exploration
Laura Ferguson's Skeleton Series - Paintings of human figures showing skeletal outlines
If you have had some experience with learning the Alexander Technique on your own, and would like to share it with others, send it to this Email Contact and it will posted on this page.
Please help support this Website! Click here to learn
some ways that are easy and will cost your nothing.
Home. Alexander Technique Descriptions . Lessons and Classes . Locate a Teacher . Self-Study
, Interactive Learning Resources . Videos, Books and Journals . Medicine, Science and the Technique
. Musicians' Health and Performance . Ergonomics . Physical
Therapy . Other Applications of the Technique
. F. M. Alexander .
Foreign Language Resources . Teacher Training Courses .. Pilates and Alexander
Alexander Audio . Alexander
Video . Feedback and Support for this Website .. Links