Frederick Matthias Alexander was a successful reciter and actor in Australia in the late 1880s. In attempting to correct a voice problem, he discovered that he was misusing himself in such a way that he was interfering with his body's natural functioning. After a period of patient observation he identified and put into practice certain basic principles of flexibility and co-ordination. Gradually his voice problem disappeared and he showed an improvement in his general health.

Alexander spent the rest of his life in England and America perfecting his Technique and training others to teach. Today there are Alexander Techniques Teachers in practice throughout the world .