Most of us Alexander Technique teachers find ourselves quite eager to clarify what our name refers to, because frankly, the Alexander Technique as is, communicates very little by itself. FM Alexander found a means-whereby he could successfully prevent unnecessary tension from interfering with the pursuit of his ends. “Technique” is now defined as “a skillful or efficient way of doing something”. CHECK! Not only is this accurate, but it sort of implicates itself as having the same aim as our work.
“Technique”, used as a noun, dates from the 19th century; a relatively new term in Alexander’s time and so, might reflect that time. Technique used as an adjective dates to the 17th century: “To do with Art or an Art” Nowadays, technique can be taken as style, workaround, hack, trick or even shortcut. Not exactly what FM envisioned!
Maybe the “Alexander Skill” would have been more apt at getting to what is being taught. It is very much a broad skill in that it can be applied to any and all skills. The application of knowledge is the thing and not the “style” or technique of it per se.
I believe replacing Alexander “Technique“ with Alexander “Technology” is a big winner. Technology defined as “applying scientific knowledge for practical purposes”. AT science studies are another blog entirely, but for now I assert that Alexander teachers engage in the scientific method by teaching skills based on principle that are demonstrable and repeatable. Come and see!
It is in this spirit that I call it Deep Neutral. For me, this is to get you to imagine the place in yourself that no one can get to and not something that you have to call upon from without. It’s close. but still incomplete. Oh well, back to the drawing board…