Research, media, links
A major randomised controlled study published in the British Medical Journal in 2008 found the Alexander Technique to give long-term beneficial effects for people suffering from chronic back pain. In this study, 579 subjects with chronic and recurrent back pain were randomised to receive massage, six Alexander technique lessons, twenty-four Alexander technique lessons or no intervention. In addition, half of the subjects were encouraged to walk regularly. A year later, the group with no intervention had 21 days of pain per month. The group with massage had 14 days of pain per month. The group with 6 Alexander lessons reported 11 days of pain per month, and the group with 24 Alexander technique lessons reported 3 days of pain per month. There were no adverse effects. Watch a video about the study here.
Research published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2004) showed that Alexander Technique lessons led to an increased ability of people with Parkinson’s disease to carry out everyday activities. Lessons led to reduced postural sway, reduced axial postural tone, greater modifiability of tone and a smoother center of pressure trajectory during step initiation, possibly indicating greater movement efficiency.
For a more extensive list of research studies cited by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT), see www.amsatonline.org/research.
This video presents some beautiful demonstrations of good use in children and some individuals in less technological societies. I'm not keen on comparing a skeleton to a house as a structure, because spines have curves unlike the walls of a house and people move! However, I find this video can be a useful aid because it shows common ways that people go wrong with their postures (i.e. a pelvis that is thrust too far forward requiring the spine to compensate with an exaggerated curve). Recognition of a behaviour that is not ideal but is habitual is the first step in making a change.
More resources
American Society for the Alexander Technique - the largest professional organisation of teachers of the Alexander Technique in the United States.
Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique - a UK resource about the technique
A number of teachers have interesting websites:
BodyLearning - a podcast in which Alexander Technique teachers are interviewed on a variety of topics.
Ted McNamara - Particularly interesting and philosophical reflections on several Alexander teachers of the past such as Mr. MacDonald, Miss Goldie and Walter Carrington, as well as the core principles of the Technique. Interesting discussions of opposition and weight.
Anthony Kingsley - a psychotherapist and AT teacher, has written some very interesting articles on the technique.
John Hunter - Interesting reflections on inhibition, direction and on teachers Erica Whittaker, Miss Goldie and Mr. MacDonald.
Bruce Fertman - Poetic, less about mechanics, more about the "way."A student of Marge Barstow.
Judith Kleinman and Peter Buckoke - this webpage contains writings that explore matters of key importance to musicians and contains information about the curriculum of the Alexander programme at the Royal College of Music.
Robert Rickover, in addition to organising BodyLearning, offers this resource on the web: The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique
Ted Dimon - Director of the Dimon Institute, his blog is particularly useful in terms of discussions about anatomy.
Michael Protzel - Useful images and discussions about walking and all things related to feet.
Glenna Batson - an AT teacher, physical therapist, PhD in neuroscience and a movement specialist, her site contains links to some of her published articles.
Alex and Joan Murray - students of Raymond Dart, the anatomist and anthropologist, this blog explores neuromuscular anatomy and child development.
Aphorisms of F. M. Alexander.
Aphorisms of the teacher Marjorie Barstow.
Website about the teacher Walter Carrington.
Recommended Books:
The Use of the Self - by F. Matthias Alexander
The Alexander Technique AS I SEE IT - by Patrick J. MacDonald, edited by Ted McNamara.
Thinking Aloud: Talks in the Alexander Technique - by Walter Carrington
Body Learning - by Michael J. Gelb
How you Stand, how you Move, how you Live - by Missy Vineyard
The Alexander Technique for Musicians - by Judith Kleinman and Peter Buckoke
The Art of Swimming - by Steven Shaw
Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique - by Pedro De Alcantara
The Art of Running with the Alexander Technique - by Malcolm Balk and Andrew Shields.
Dance and the Alexander Technique - by Rebecca Nettle-Fior and Luc Vanier