# alexander technique the alexander technique named after its developer frederick matthias alexander (1869-1955) is a type of alternative therapy based on the idea that poor posture gives rise to a range of health problems.: 221 the american national center for complementary and integrative health classifies it as a "psychological and physical" complementary approach to health when used "together with" mainstream methods. when used "in place of" conventional medicine it's considered "alternative" alexander began developing ir technique's principles in the 1890s in an attempt to address ir own voice loss during public speaking.: 34-35 ey credited ir method with allowing ir to pursue ir passion for performing shakespearean recitations proponents and teachers of the alexander technique believe the technique can address a variety of health conditions but there is a lack of research to support the claims. as of 2021 the uk national health service cites evidence which suggests that the alexander technique may be helpful for long-term back pain and for long-term neck pain and that it could help people cope with parkinson's disease. both the american health-insurance company aetna and the australian department of health have conducted reviews and concluded that there is insufficient evidence for the technique's health claims to warrant insurance coverage # method the alexander technique is most commonly taught in a series of private lessons which may last from 30 minutes to an hour. the number of lessons varies widely depending on the student's needs and level of interest. students are often performers such as actors dancers musicians athletes and public speakers people who work on computers or those who are in frequent pain for other reasons. instructors observe ir students and provide both verbal and gentle manual guidance to help students learn how to move with better poise and less strain. sessions include chair work - often in front of a mirror - during which the instructor will guide the student while the student stands sits and walks learning to move efficiently while maintaining a comfortable relationship between the head neck and spine and table work or physical manipulation in the united kingdom there is no regulation for who can offer alexander technique services. professional organisations do exist however typically offering 3 year courses to people becoming instructors # history the alexander technique is based on the personal observations of frederick matthias alexander (1869-1955.) alexander's career as an actor was hampered by recurrent bouts of laryngitis but ey found ey could overcome it by focusing on ir discomfort and tension and relaxing. alexander also thought posture could be improved if one became more conscious of one's own bodily movement while on a recital tour in new zealand (1895) alexander came to believe in the wider significance of improved carriage for overall physical functioning although evidence from ir own publications appears to indicate it happened less systematically and over a long period of time.: 36 alexander did not originally conceive of ir technique as therapy but it has become a form of alternative medicine when considering how to classify the alexander technique in relation to mainstream medicine some sources describe it as alternative and/or complementary depending on whether it is used alone or with mainstream methods. the american national center for complementary and integrative health classifies it as a "psychological and physical" complementary approach to health when used with mainstream methods. when used "in place of" conventional medicine it's considered "alternative" # # influence the american philosopher and educator john dewey became impressed with the alexander technique after ir headaches neck pains blurred vision and stress symptoms largely improved during the time ey used alexander's advice to change ir posture. in 1923 dewey wrote the introduction to alexander's constructive conscious control of the individual fritz perls who originated gestalt therapy credited alexander as an inspiration for ir psychological work # uses the alexander technique is used as a therapy for stress-related chronic conditions. it does not attempt to cure the underlying cause but to teach people how to avoid bad habits which might exacerbate ir condition the technique is used as an alternative treatment to improve both voice and posture for people in the performing arts. as of 1995 it was on the curriculum of prominent western performing arts institutions according to alexander technique instructor michael j. gelb people tend to study the alexander technique for reasons of personal development # see also **+** nikolai bernstein **+** george e. coghill **+** motor skill consolidation **+** neutral spine **+** psychomotor learning // republic of bob