The Alexander Technique is taught at the Julliard School, the Aspen Music Festival, and other prestigious music programs. Why is this technique so valuable for musicians and other performing artists?

A pianist plays with so much tension that her fingers look like claws. A man's head is tilted to one side at all times, not just when he plays the tuba. A singer lifts her chin and contracts the back of her neck when she sings.

Why do we do these things? F.M. Alexander, in his lengthy studies of these phenomena, coined the phrase, "faulty sensory awareness." What he discovered was that habitual patterns come to feel "right," that our kinesthetic sense has become untrustworthy. We are often unaware of these habitual movements, but they may be obvious to those around us.

If this behavioral pattern was not harmful, it might be amusing. Instead, it is often the source of pain for many of us. Further, using faulty sensory awareness as a guide for movement, limits our ability to perform -- this is why so many dancers, actors, and musicians come to Alexander Teachers for help. It is also why major music education institutions provide Alexander Technique instruction.

The Alexander Technique helps people to unravel these patterns and to experience freedom of movement, improved performance, and less pain

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