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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

Buy the DVD now by clicking on the button below

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