There are many well-known actors, comedians, singers and musicians who use the Alexander Technique to help them in their craft. It is taught worldwide at leading music and drama schools. But you don’t have to be a celebrity. The Technique can also help with presentations at work, or any kind of public speaking or teaching situation. Athletes also benefit, and some have even won Olympic gold medals. So if exercise is your thing, the Alexander Technique can bring another dimension to your workout.
Here are just some of the famous people that have used the Alexander Technique over the years:
Actors and Comedians, Sports Stars, Musicians, Writers, Academics and Scientists and others…
- Judi Dench
- Keanu Reeves
- Joanna Lumley
William Hurt: “The Alexander Technique has helped me to undo knots, unblock energy and deal with almost paralysing stage fright”
- Hilary Swank
Richard Armitage (Spooks): “I follow the Alexander Technique for 15 minutes each morning. It’s a way of helping my vocal production and control, but when my stress levels are high during filming, it gives me a break.”
- Michael Caine
- Paul Newman
Lenny Henry: “…his new upright posture works to menacing effect when he towers over his Desdemona in Othello” – Jan 09
- Jennifer Saunders
- Adrian Edmonson
- Julie Andrews
John Cleese: “I find the Alexander Technique very helpful in my work. Things happen without you trying. They get to be light and relaxed. You must get an Alexander teacher to show it to you”
- Ben Kingsley
- Sheila Hancock
- Ben Kingsley
- Ruby Wax
- Juliet Stevenson
- Kenneth Branagh
Kevin Kline: “The Technique’s many benefits for actors include minimized tension, centredness, vocal relaxation, responsiveness, mind/body connection and about an inch and a half of additional height”
- Jamie Lee-Curtis
- Jeremy Irons
- Frank Skinner
- Robin Williams
- Penelope Keith
- Gabriel Byrne
- Michael Caine
- Jeremy Irons
- Alan Cummings
- Miriam Karlin
Roger Lloyd Pack: “The Technique gave me a freedom and awareness of my body which have stood me in good stead ever since”
- Pookie Quesnel
- Bonnie Langford
- Julia Sawalha
- Prunella Scales
- Terence Stamp
- Patrick Stewart
- Sir Henry Irving
- Lillie Langtry
- Hayley Mills
- Michael Palin
- Nyree Dawn Porter
- Christopher Reeve
- Linford Christie
Greg Chappell, cricketer: “The Alexander Technique will benefit anyone whether they are an elite athlete or whether they just wish to live life without the aches and pains that many people suffer and accept as part of life. It is a pity that these techniques are not shown to us all at an early age for I have no doubt that this would alleviate many of the causes of ill health in our communities.”
- Daley Thompson
- John MacEnroe
Howard Payne, Commonwealth record hammer thrower: “Balance is a vital aspect of good hammer throwing and getting the head, neck, spine and pelvis in the correct relationship enables the balance of the throw to come so much more easily. Once the balance is settled, there is an enormous improvement in turning speed.”
- Sir Paul McCartney
- Sting
- Madonna
- Yehudi Menuin
- Lulu
- Sir Adrian Boult
Patrick Maddams, Managing Director, Royal Academy of Music: “The Alexander Technique can be sustaining; it is something that if learned well, can be carried along with you for the rest of your life. It gives you confidence to be who you are when you are up in front of an audience.”
- Sir Colin Davis
- Michael Ball
- Sinead O’Connor
Alex Stobbs, conductor: “The Alexander Technique is beneficial for everything. I’ve even got taller as a result.”
- Aldous Huxley
- Edna O’Brien
George Bernard Shaw: “Alexander established not only the beginnings of a far reaching science of the apparently involuntary movements that we call reflexes, but a technique of correction and self control which forms a substantial addition to our very slender resources in personal education”
- Tony Buzan
Roald Dahl: “The Alexander Technique can be sustaining; it is something that if learned well, can be carried along with you for the rest of your life. It gives you confidence to be who you are when you are up in front of an audience.”
- Prof Raymond Dart, anthropologist
Sir Charles Sherrington, neurophysiologist: “Mr Alexander has done a service to the subject [of the study of reflex and voluntary movement] by insistently treating each act as involving the whole integrated individual, the whole psychophysical man. To take a step is an affair, not of this or that limb solely, but of the total neuromuscular activity of the moment, not least of the head and neck.”
- Prof John Dewey, philosopher
- Karl Popper, philosopher
Prof Nikolaas Tinbergen, Nobel Prize winner for medicine and physiology: “We already notice, with growing amazement, very striking improvements in such diverse things as high blood pressure, breathing, depth of sleep, overall cheerfulness and mental alertness, resilience against outside pressures, and in such a refined skill as playing a musical instrument.”
Lisa Snowdon – model and presenter (had Alexander lessons to help her during Strictly Come Dancing 2008)
Joan Bakewell, TV presenter and journalist: “The Alexander Technique makes a real difference to my often tense and busy life. Its thoughtful approach has made me calmer, improved my concentration and given me a clearer sense of my own well being.”
- Caroline Charles, fashion designer
- Moshe Feldenkrais
Andrew Logan, sculptor: “The Alexander Technique has changed my life. It enabled me to devote more time to creating beauty. This inner strength is essential for all.”
If it’s worked for them, it may work for you too. Why not try out an introductory lesson to see what it’s all about?