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From: Winton
Date: 17 Oct 2006
Time: 16:20:15 -0500
Remote Name: 203.51.81.162
Hi Kristen. The Alexander Technique was developed by a Shakespearean actor, F M Alexander, who suffered chronic hoarseness when performing. He was eventually able to solve this problem by observing himself in a mirror. He discovered that whenever he began to speak he gasped for air, pressed his head down onto the back of his neck and compressed his spine, which produced tension throughout his body. He found that he was able to correct the problem by substituting the intention to maintain the poise of his head on the top of his spine and allowing his back to lengthen and widen as he began to speak. People find the Alexander Technique useful for stiff and sore necks and backs and similar ailments associated with “misuse of the self” ( unnecessary muscle tension in sitting, standing or any activity). Teachers of the Alexander Technique help people (students) to learn how to help themselves – the language is all about students and teachers, rather than therapists and clients. I don’t think many people would have been cured of blocking/stuttering just by taking lessons in the Alexander Technique. I found that the lessons helped to give me the feeling of what it was like to observe myself speaking without excessive tension . Before I could make much progress, however, I needed to practice fluent speech ie to practice speaking with the intention of speaking normally without tensing up. I also needed to find ways to circumvent the self doubt that was the cause of the excessive tension. That is where Tim Gallwey and the inner game helped a huge amount. I have been thinking recently that in order to achieve the standard I would like to reach in public speaking I will need to fully integrate what I learned from the Alexander technique in my vision of what it feels like to be having fun speaking fluently in public. Regards, Winton.