The Alexander Technique: Principles, Application, and Voice Integration!

Developed by Australian actor F.M. Alexander in the late 19th century, the Alexander Technique evolved from Alexander’s voice loss during performance. As a precursor to modern mind/body practices, the Alexander Technique focuses on re-education through restoring and maintaining optimal coordination and preventing future injurious movement patterns.

Voice teachers have long recommended the Alexander Technique to improve posture and vocal function. Studies have shown alterations to vocal quality and reductions in performance anxiety following Alexander Technique intervention.

This short course will emphasize universal aims considered beneficial to voice users, including mitigating excess tension and breaking harmful habits. The four Alexander Technique procedures explored will include:

• Semi-supine (constructive rest, lie-down)
• Position of mechanical advantage (monkey)
• The whispered “ah”
• Hands on the back of a chair

Specific speech and singing applications and adaptations will be introduced and integrated into these procedures. Participants will experience how to apply Alexander Technique principles personally and consider how this work may benefit their students.