It is something of a joke among Alexander teachers that we don't easily find a simple answer to this question, when challenged frequently by those to whom we have confided our occupation! To those unfamiliar with it, its basis is so different from almost anything people have encountered before, that easy, accurate understanding will mean careful thinking allied with the experience of private lessons from a teacher. We recommend you check the extensive information available on the internet, starting with the references we give on the Alexander links page.

The Technique is a way of learning to change the habits of muscle usage so that movement becomes less strained, lighter and more efficient. The theory is simple and involves two jargon words: Direction and Inhibition. The former involves giving a series of mental instructions designed to allow a light and poiseful relationship between the head, neck and back--the key to all good movement.This relationship, called the Primary Control by Alexander, provides the necessary basis for easy and efficient movement.The latter involves learning how to prevent old habits of movement from interfering with the Primary Control. Key to the successful inhibition process is giving up the "end-gaining", to use Alexander's word, normally practised by most of us where we only pay attention to the desired result of an action and not to the "means whereby" or process involved. It is the application of these two simultaneous and complementary thought processes that is the basis for Alexander work.

There is much more that can be said and much has been written. Alexander discoveries were made in response to a problem he had with his voice production when doing recitals--he lived in Australia at the time and was set on an acting sareer. Although his discoveries were difficult and slow, he was able to progress to a satisfactory solution to his problem using solid logical processes and a great deal of persistence. He lived mostly in London from 1904 to his death at the age of 86 in 1955. Many thousands of people have improved their health and their lives in many ways by applying his Technique.