Conscious Coordination

Frederick Matthias (F.M.) Alexander was born in Tasmania and became a Shakespearean actor in Melbourne, Australia at the end of 19th century.

 

Suffering from chronic hoarseness whenever he performed, he sought help from doctors and specialists only to be left dissatisfied with temporary remedies and ineffective prevention strategies.   He determined, perhaps it was something he was doing that was the cause of his symptoms.

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Through rigorous self-observation, hypothesis, and practice he began to discover a deeply ingrained habit of tightening the back of his neck as soon as he thought about performing.  His discoveries about how unconscious everyday habits affect overall function are the basis of his Technique.

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While Alexander was initially sought out by people with vocal and respiratory issues (teaching in Australia in the 1890s, and later in London and Boston), the Technique soon captured a wider audience and today has international recognition and far-reaching applications.  

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By identifying and reducing excess effort, we gain the ability to change.