The storyteller began her story as she had many times before. The words were carefully chosen and rehearsed, and they tumbled out of her mouth fluidly. The teacher stopped her, placing his hands gently on her neck and shoulders, delicately suggesting a direction of movement for her head. "Now, close your mouth, take air in through your nose, and begin again," he said. The storyteller followed his direction, opened her mouth and began with the same words, only this time something was very different. The words were said more slowly, less forcefully, and with a depth of meaning that had been only hinted at before. Her small audience--other storytellers who wanted to learn the technique being demonstrated--felt an immediate emotional connection. Tears of empathy came because the story being told was not hindered by the storyteller’s habitual tension that had prevented her from accessing her emotional connection with the words of her story. The technique being taught was the Alexander Technique. The effect of the release of tension was one I have experienced myself, and have seen many times in other workshops. Sometimes the performer is a musician, an actor, a dancer, or an equestrian. Sometimes the student is not a performer at all, but simply wanting to reduce stress in everyday life. Sometimes the student is searching for a cure for a physical ailment or disability. People from all walks of life study the Alexander Technique to find greater balance and ease in their lives and professions.What is the Alexander Technique, and how can it help storytellers?
The Alexander Technique, developed by F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) presents a means whereby one can become aware of habits that increase stress and contribute to dysfunction (i.e. loss of one’s voice) or disease. After becoming aware of these habits, one learns to consciously move in a different manner which leads to more ease of movement and speaking. Alexander was an elocutionist--a performer who recited literary works. He was beset by the problem of hoarseness during his recitals, and medical doctors could find no physical cause for the hoarseness. He finally decided it must be something he was "doing" when reciting that was causing the problem. After careful observation of himself in a mirror, he discovered that he habitually pulled his head down and back, gasping air in through his mouth as he began to recite. When he tried to change this habit, he found the old habit so deeply ingrained that he couldn’t consciously change it. No matter how strong his intent to move in a less stressful manner, as soon as he began reciting, his old habit took over. However, he found the key to changing the habit was stopping or "inhibiting" his intended action (i.e. beginning to speak), and choosing to do something else instead, like closing his lips and inhaling through his nose. Then he was able to give himself a new direction for movement: moving his head forward and up, which was less stressful than pulling his head down and back. After much self observation and practice, he was able to create new habits of use, and his hoarseness no longer troubled him. Alexander found that he could help others by guiding them with his hands, and as they learned new habits of use, they were able to alleviate chronic health problems as well as improving their performance. He worked in schools to help children learn good habits of use and posture, and he established a training school for teachers of the technique. There are now several teacher training schools throughout the world, and Alexander Technique is offered in many performing arts schools. Trained Alexander Technique teachers are available worldwide. Effective storytelling requires may skills of the storyteller. One of these skills is the ability to use one’s voice in a dynamic manner without stressing it to the point of loosing it. For storytellers the Alexander Technique is especially useful. Not only can it help alleviate problems with hoarseness as it did for Mr. Alexander, but it also helps one tell with greater clarity of speech and easier stage presence. When excess tension is released, the storyteller is able to access deeper emotional connections to the story, resulting in a more immediate and powerful performance. The following web sites have further information on the Alexander Technique: www.Alexandertechnique.com has links to other Alexander Technique websites, and is organized in an easy-to-use manner so you can find answers to your questions. This is an excellent web site to start with.
www.Alexandercenter.com has several well-written articles with useful information.
www.Direction.com is the website for the journal Direction, which has articles of interest to students and teachers of the Alexander Technique and other body awareness techniques. Direction also maintains an e-mail discussion group which you can join from this web site.
www.atj-net.com is the web site for the Alexander Technique International, the worldwide professional organization for the F.M. Alexander Technique. It lists member teachers from many countries, and maintains a notice board of upcoming workshops and conferences.
www.Stat.org.uk is the web site for the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, based in the UK. This is the oldest Alexander Technique organization. It maintains a list of member teachers in the UK and worldwide.
www.Alexandertech.com is the web site for the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT, formerly NASTAT). Here you can find names of teachers certified by AmSAT. They also have a comprehensive list of books and others materials that can be ordered.
