As a young man, F.M. Alexander was a Shakespearean actor touring Australia and Tasmania when a chronic hoarse voice threatened to end his career. After all medical treatment failed, he began to look at his own use for the source of his vocal trouble. Through nine years of self-observation and experimentation, he solved his problem and became noted for the full, rich quality of his voice. 

Head, Neck and Back

Alexander observed that the relationship between the head, neck and torso is primary in controlling movement and function. Compressive movement habits interfere with this design. By learning not to interfere with this primary control, the natural forces that counter gravity allow the body to move easily upward.

Ends and Means

Alexander also observed that the way we react can interfere with functioning. These habitual reactions are usually associated with the desire to achieve a goal directly without consideration of the necessary steps to reach the goal. He called this endgaining. He concluded that improvement in functioning requires the ability to pause and check our use before we carry out an act