Photo: STAT

Frederick Matthias Alexander was born in Australia in 1869. He was an actor, but early on in his career he developed problems with his voice. Through many years of independent observation and experiment he overcame his problems by gradually becoming aware of some of the psychophysical principles that underlie the workings of the body. The practical understanding of these principles forms the basis for the Alexander Technique.

He began teaching in 1894 in his homeland, but in 1904 moved to London, where in 1930 he established the first training course for teachers of his technique.

Alexander died in 1955, but his work has continued with increasing scientific recognition.