MELISSA       offerings       A T       etc..   

ALEXANDER

The Technique

The Alexander Technique is a process of rediscovering our natural presence and free existence from childhood.

Lessons explore unwanted, habitual tensions in daily activities. Gentle, hands-on guidance is used as students and teachers work together in daily activities to gain awareness and recognize harmful or unwanted tendencies and habits.

As a student you learn how to change these tendencies and habits through an increased awareness of yourself in connection with your environment. This increased and expanded awareness allows you to move and live more effectively and efficiently.

  • "The hallmarks of the Alexander Technique are
  • creativity,
  • spontaneity,
  • adaptability to change."
  • - F.M. Alexander

The Person
  • Frederick Matthias (F.M.) Alexander
  • (1869-1955)

F.M. was an Australian elocutionist, especially fond of performing Shakespeare monologues.

Just starting out as a vocal performer, F.M. faced a major obstacle.

The young elocutionist lost his voice.

Following medical advice F.M. went on vocal rest with a diagnosis of overuse. After a period of vocal rest, F.M.'s voice returned. Encouraged, F.M. returned to the stage...BUT with the next performance his voice was gone again.

This led F.M. on a personal journey to discover

"WHY?".

What differences were occurring between his everyday speaking and vocal performance?

F.M., surrounded by mirrors, began to study the physical differences occurring when transitioning from everyday speech to performance mode. Noticing patterns of tension and added stiffness during this transition, F.M. attempted the obvious.

Just stop "doing" the added stiffness and tension...

BUT HOW?

On a path of self-study and exploration, F.M. allowed his curiosity and strong desire to perform to guide the way. F.M.'s technique for discovering and learning how to avoid unwanted habits that constricted performance began to take shape. While initially formed to stop his own vocal loss, F.M. realised that his strategies not only helped other voiceless vocalists, but could be applied beneficially to a variety of daily activities.