F.M.Alexander was an Australian actor, born in 1869, who moved to London when he was 34. His promising career was threatened by recurring voice problems which didn't readily respond to any medical advice. Alexander embarked on a long period of self-observation to try and find out what he was doing while performing, that caused his voice to fail. Nothing was immediately apparent, but as he watched more and more carefully he found himself able to trace a whole pattern of harmful tensions which were affecting his body, and ultimately his speaking voice.

In the course of his investigations, Alexander found a way of working that was applicable not only to himself, an actor, but to everyone as they go about their daily activities. In fact Alexander's real discovery was this: the way you use YOURSELF - our first and most important tool - affects the way you function in the world around you.