​Margie V. Marrs

Alexander Technique

I first experienced the effects of the Alexander Technique during a lesson with Barbara Kent at a voice workshop in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1980.  Over the next 25 years I managed to acquire guidance and training from several teachers, and those experiences were invaluable in helping me with my own singing and the development of my voice students at Coe College. In 2005 a sabbatical provided the opportunity for me to begin an intensive training course and eventually become a certified AmSAT teacher, enabling me to enhance my own well-being and find new opportunities for sharing the Technique with others.

Margie Vathauer Marrs, Alexander Technique Teacher

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is a body/mind method that works with balance, breathing, and movement. It teaches you to become aware of habits which prevent you from functioning freely and offers strategies for changing these habits.   

The Alexander Technique is an educational process that can help you rediscover your natural poise and flexibility. It will enable you to understand how your body is naturally designed to work. Through the exploration of simple movements you can become aware of and reestablish balance and ease in your general coordination. The Alexander Technique is not something to 'do,' but the development of skills which can be applied both to daily tasks and to activities requiring complex coordination - such as singing, acting, dancing, playing a musical instrument, participating in sports, etc.

What happens in a lesson?

With the teacher's hands-on guidance and verbal feedback, you perform common everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, and lying down. As you explore new ways of thinking and moving, you begin to perceive habits that cause unnecessary strain on your body. You learn the importance of allowing your breathing to return to its natural rhythm - the rhythm you experienced as a child. you may leave your lesson feeling taller, lighter, and moving with greater ease.

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How many lessons do I need?

The number of lessons you need depends on your condition and goals. Some students take lessons for a few months, while others chose to enter into a long-term study. After two or three lessons you will probably know if the Technique is right for you; after 10 or 20 lessons you'll have a clearer sense of the diverse benefits of the work.
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An introductory series of ten 30-minute lessons is recommended for beginning study of the Technique. Following this series, we can evaluate your best options for a continuing course of study.

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Potential Benefits

​Anyone willing to think and learn can find benefits from studying the Alexander Technique. Although it is not a therapy or method of healing, students often experience the following benefits: ​

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Relief from chronic pain, especially neck & back pain, and repetitive strain injuries
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​Better posture, balance, flexibility, mobility, and range of motion

Improved breathing and circulation
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Reduction of strains attributed to aging
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Higher energy levels and increased strength

Greater resilience, poise, and grace in daily activities
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Increased calm and confidence
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Expanded mindfulness, attentiveness, and self-awareness

Improved presentation and performance skills for actors, musicians, dancers, equestrians, athletes, and public speakers
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Enhanced productivity in the workplace