Alexander Technique (The Sunday Times, 13th May 2007)

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Q. My new job involves public speaking and, though I am a confident professional, I am experiencing a few problems with my voice. I am having to strain somewhat to get my message across. I am probably a little more tense than normal, as I feel I have to prove myself. Can you suggest anything to help?



A.It could well be that a subconscious fear of underperforming is causing tension in your vocal cords and affecting your breathing.

In his book Perfect Poise, Perfect Life (Hodder Mobius £10.99), the Alexander-technique teacher Noël Kingsley says that if our postural and vocal mechanisms are not working efficiently, it may seem as if we have a vocal weakness. This may cause us to raise our voice, which, in turn, can result in hoarseness and strain.

It was precisely this hoarseness that afflicted the actor Frederick Alexander, who developed the technique, and led to his study of the relationship between the head, neck, back and limbs. He recognised that when we stiffen our neck, the head is pulled off balance and the larynx compressed, so the vocal cords cannot vibrate properly. He found that when neck tension is reduced, the head no longer compresses the spine, so it is free to lengthen, thus allowing the vocal cords to vibrate properly.

The technique has a deeply calming effect on your breathing and general demeanour – and it will make you walk 2in taller. For details of practitioners, call 0845 230 7828 or visit www.stat.org.uk.


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