Frederick Matthias Alexander (January 20, 1869–October 10, 1955) was an Australian actor who developed the educational process that is today called the Alexander Technique—a method of helping people learn to free habitual reactions of moving, learned by improving one's kinesthetic judgment. He was born in Tasmania, later moved to Melbourne, Australia, and finally settled in London in 1904. January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Direction (Alexander Technique) be merged into this article or section. ... Proprioception (from Latin proprius, meaning ones own) is the sense of the position of parts of the body, relative to other neighbouring parts of the body. ... Emblems: Flora - Tasmanian Blue Gum Motto: Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Slogan or Nickname: The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Const. ... Melbournes Yarra River is popular area for walking, jogging, cycling and relaxing on the banks with a picnic Melbourne (pronounced either or [1]) is the second most populous city in Australia with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ...

Alexander developed such concepts as the primary control, verbal visualization, avoiding reaction during speaking, and using modeling in teaching (guiding movement in contact with the student to show quality and direction.)

There are now many books about the Alexander Technique. One of the first and best is Freedom to Change by Frank Pierce Jones.

Alexander himself was a Shakespearean orator who suffered from the problem of losing his voice on stage. Careful observation of himself with mirrors revealed that he habitually pulled his head slightly backwards and down when about to recite or to a lesser extent before speaking. After long experimentation he discovered the means to prevent what he described as problems in the way he used himself. William Shakespeare—born April 1564; baptised April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616 (O.S.), May 3, 1616 (N.S.)—has a reputation as the greatest of all writers in English. ... Oratory is the art of eloquent speech. ... Human voice consists of sound made by a person using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, screaming or crying. ...

Many famous actors, writers and philosophers at the of the turn of the nineteenth century and during the first third of the twentieth century were his students. According to some, the technique was important in the career of educational philosopher John Dewey. The two men met around 1918 in New York City when Dewey had a series of lessons. Dewey felt that Alexander taught him how to stop and think before acting. He said that his study of the Alexander Technique enabled him to hold a philosophical position calmly once he had taken it or to change it if new evidence appeared. John Dewey (October 20, 1859 – June 1, 1952) was an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, whose thought has been greatly influential in the United States and around the world. ... Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ...

External links

• The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique
• UK Society of The Teachers of Alexander Technique
• Irish Society of Teachers of Alexander Technique
• John Dewey vs. the Alexander Technique
• Useful information about how F.M. Alexander deveoped his Technique