Performance and the Alexander technique

The pressure to perform well

High-pressure situations that are important to us and/or the need to perform in public cause us extra stress and anxiety beyond our normal day-to-day stresses. The pressure we can place on ourselves to perform well only adds to our stress levels. We can worry about fluffing an interview, audition, presentation, or performance due to nerves and can complicate already difficult and challenging situations.

Often, we can also strain or try too hard to meet an important goal and do not look after ourselves while doing so. This tends to lead to negative outcomes, and we possibly injure or otherwise harm ourselves in the process. (This is what we would call ‘endgaining’ in Alexander terms.) These unfortunate situations can undermine our confidence.

The mental and creative aspects of performance

Sometimes too, our ideas and performance can get a bit stale. We can find ourselves just repeating what we have done before. We get trapped in repetitive thinking and find it hard to break free from that to produce something new. (If we keep on doing what we know, we will keep on repeating what we have always done.)

We can also find ourselves spiralling downward into depression, negative thinking, and self-doubt. These emotions rob us of our enthusiasm and can decrease our chances of creating positive outcomes. Obviously, this is not ideal.

The difficulties of being in demanding and competitive fields

Some situations and industries, including the creative fields, are also very demanding due to the sustained pressure they can place on us over long ongoing periods of time. Being ill, injured, or at less than our best can mean we miss opportunities. To have career longevity in challenging fields, we need to optimise our responses to stress. We can do this by minimising unthinking and destructive reactions and by developing sustainable responses to dealing with the demands placed upon us and the pressures of performing.

Where the Alexander technique can help

FM Alexander developed his technique while looking to improve his vocal performance as an actor and reciter. As such, a concern with performance has always been part of the Alexander technique. The Alexander technique can provide a practical means whereby for achieving a desired goal (or ‘end’). It also provides tools to help you to stop (or ‘inhibit’) unthinking habitual reactions and misuse when placed in high-pressure situations, such as performing in public, and help you to consciously direct the use of your whole psychophysical being in more positive and constructive ways.

Working with the Alexander technique allows increasing freedom from habitual thoughts, ideas, and responses, allowing more free and inspired creative choices, and enabling you to think more clearly and creatively, and to respond more appropriately in the moment. In so doing, it enhances your chances of producing genuinely fresh ideas and achieving longevity in difficult and demanding fields.

As well as helping individuals deal with performance anxiety, the difficulties of challenging fields, and the more mental and creative aspects of performance, the Alexander technique helps with the following aspects of performing:

• breathing

• voice production

• bodily alignment and use (including improved ‘posture’), bodily presence (‘stage presence’) and a neutral base to perform from and for actors to create characterisation from

  • improvements in bodily use also affect the sound produced by speakers, singers, actors, and musicians

• movement and athletic demands, including minimising unnecessary tension, and improving coordination, fine motor skills, and the likelihood of attaining peak performance or ‘flow’

• occupational overuse syndrome and performance-related injuries

• injury prevention

• rehabilitation after injury and surgery.

With performance, it is helpful to remember that you are your primary instrument. Any external instrument or tools you may use are secondary. It is important for you to spend your time, effort, and energy wisely. In this, the Alexander technique can give you an edge.

I enjoy working with a wide range of people to improve their performance from an Alexander technique perspective. I work with performing artists (musicians, singers, actors, and dancers) and athletes through to businesspeople and creatives. I also work with others interested in self-development who may want help to improve their performance in their lives and careers in particular ways.