CONSTRUCTIVE CONSCIOUS
CONTROL OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Frederick Matthias Alexander, originator of the
Alexander Technique, was born in Tasmania in 1869. In
his twenties he moved to Sydney where he became a
professional reciter of dramatic pieces. After almost
completely losing his voice he pioneered a method of
improving the 'use' of his body musculature in all positions
and movements. Having cured his vocal problems without
medical aid, he began to observe his fellow man and
discovered that the majority stood, sat and moved in an
equally defective manner. It occurred to Alexander that
incorrect 'use of the self might be the cause of much
human suffering. Encouraged by a doctor in Sydney he set
out to teach his methods and became a kind of missionary.
He moved to London and established a school, publishing
several books and achieving some success, with
recommendations from famous contemporaries such as
Aldous Huxley and Sir Stafford Cripps. Alexander died in
1955 but his 'principle' lives on through the work of many
teachers of his method, including Patrick J. Macdonald,
who joined Alexander's first training course in 1931 and
took over the Alexander practice in 1955.
The four books of
F. MATTHIAS ALEXANDER
which contain a full statement of his principles
and practice together form the authoritative
textbook of his new Science of Living.
Man's Supreme Inheritance
First published 1910. Reprinted 1946,
with a new Preface by the author. 10s. 6d. net
The Use of the Self
With an Introduction by Professor John Dewey.
6s. 6d. net
Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual
With an Introduction by Professor John Dewey.
10s. 6d. net
The Universal Constant in Living
With an Introduction by G. E. Coghill.
10s. 6d. net
Sir Stafford Cripps says of Mr. Alexander :—
" I regard it as one of the fortunate experiences of my life that
I should have met F. Matthias Alexander at a time when I
had been suffering physically for many years, and that I
should have had the opportunity of going through a course
with him. There can be no do