History
FM Alexander was born in 1869, the son of a blacksmith, in a remote settlement in the wild northwest of Tasmania, Australia. How someone from such an obscure background in the antipodes came to occupy a position of such worldwide influence makes for an extraordinary and inspiring life story.
FM Alexander’s greatest legacy though is that countless numbers of people still benefit from this unique but common sense contribution to our overall wellbeing. His work continues to expand and the Alexander Technique is used worldwide, including the fields of health, education, the arts, sport, science, industry, etc.
“FM Alexander’s work is one of the true epics of medical research and practice.”
Nikolaas Tinbergen, Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine, 1973
Film Credits
The film was produced by Rosslyn McLeod, an experienced Alexander teacher based in Adelaide, South Australia, and author of a biography of FM Alexander's early life:
Up From Down Under
The Australian Origins of Frederick Matthias Alexander and the Alexander Technique
Click here to purchase Up From Down Under on www.mouritz.co.uk
Special thanks to U-tel, Digital Magic, Norwood, South Australia for their creative, imaginative approach to this project – animation, studio work and final film production.
Rosslyn was assisted by an Advisory Committee in Adelaide.
Committee members are:
Professor Amanda Goodman
Jeannie Kelso AM
Jonathan Miller LLB
Lynton Stephens MBBS, FRACGP
Grant Discombe (Technical Support)
Support was also provided by a panel of Advocates drawn from the international Alexander Community:
Michael Bloch LLB (Cantab) - Biographer of FM Alexander
Jean M.O. Fischer - Alexander Teacher; Specialist Publisher on the Alexander Technique
John Hunter BA - Alexander Teacher; Head of Training, Westminster Alexander Training Course
Carolyn Nicholls BA (Hons), MA, MA - Alexander Teacher; Head of Training, Brighton Alexander Technique College; Author of Body, Breath and Breathing and The Posture Workbook
Lucy Brown PhD - Clinical Professor in Neurology, Albert Einstein Medical Centre, New York
Galen Cranz PhD - Professor of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley; Alexander Teacher; Author of The Chair: Rethinking Culture, Body and Design
Jane R. Heirich BA, MA - Alexander Teacher; Voice Coach; Author of Voice and the Alexander Technique
Alexander Murray - Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois; Musician; Alexander teacher
Frederick Matthias Alexander
Originator of the Alexander Technique
A Unique Documentary Film About His Remarkable Life!
This 70 minute documentary on Alexander's life and work was premiered at the 10th World Alexander Congress in Ireland in August 2015. The DVD is now available to the public and can be ordered only from this website.
“Insightful documentary about FM Alexander’s life, work and legacy.
A ‘must have’ for anyone interested in the origin and growth of The Alexander Technique.”
Carolyn Nicholls, BA (Hons), MA, MA
Alexander Teacher; Head of Training, Brighton Alexander Technique College
Author of Body, Breath and Breathing and The Posture Workbook
Archival Photograph of F.M.Alexander c 2014, The Society of Teacher of the Alexander Technique, London