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The aim of this site is to be a comprehensive source of information on all aspects of the Alexander Technique (AT). It is aimed at the simply curious visitor; people already learning the AT; Alexander teachers; and trainee teachers. For further information about anything on the site, you can e-mail me here
I am particularly interested in scientific aspects of the AT. The site aims to be a continually developing resource for those who are similarly interested and I particularly welcome comments and questions.
When significant changes are made in the site they are noted in the What's New sidebar.
"What is the AT?" gives a brief introduction to the AT for someone coming to it for the first time. It also describes what happens in an Alexander lesson.
"Finding a teacher" offers guidance on finding an Alexander teacher. It also gives some background on the training that Alexander teachers undergo and the various Alexander Technique professional organisations.
"Information sources" is a guide to the available information on the AT. It provides links to the two most important specialist publishers of AT books and other materials, as well as other important information sources as I learn about them.
"Talks and Topics" links to the notes of various talks to trainee Alexander teachers and other topics I have been developing over my years of researching and thinking about the Technique. John Dewey the philosopher and educationalist; the novelist Aldous Huxley; the great neuroscientist Sir Charles Sherrington; and Nobel Prize winner Nikolaas Tinbergen, are on the list of famous names who supported the Technique. The talks cover the life and work of these people and their connections with the Technique. They also tackle some simple technical topics of relevance to the workings of the Technique.
"The performing arts" briefly describes the long-standing connections between the AT and the performing arts. It also provides links to some of the people I happen to know who combine work in the performing arts with AT teaching.
"Muscles and fitness" looks at the idea of fitness and its relation to health. Fitness is not just about big muscles; it is also about having the proper balance between the red and white fibres. This page has links to a booklet I have written on the physiology of muscles, concentrating on the role of their red and white fibres. A shorter version of the discussion can be found in Talk No 31.
This section of the site also has a discussion on whether stretching before exercise does more harm than good. The extent to which medical science thinks it is a bad idea is surprising. This is discussed more fully in a short paper I have written on the subject here.
"Towards a neurophysiology" attempts to weave together a variety of scientific insights into the working of the AT. Its starting point is in the classic works of the early neuroscientists Sir Charles Sherrington and Rudolph Magnus. This is a relatively long and technical document.
"News-Reviews" contains AT news and book reviews.
"Comments" provides an opportunity for comments and discussion relating to the website or the AT in general.