What are others' experiences with Alexander Technique?

Question

I took 40 lessons and spent $2000 and now have come to the conclusion that it was a waste of energy. I gained some increased body awareness, but I never achieved the experience of thinking "my neck is free my head goes forward and up" and then having it ever happen. In AT, you are not supposed to "do" anything, just think and it will happen. At this point, I feel it is a fraud and am disappointed that I spent so much time and effort in something that yielded little to no result. My original intention was to decrease tension while singing and I can't say that that happened. As well, given you are to "inhibit" all initiation of action, then I just became unconfident about how I used my body. For example, imagine if you inhibited every step you took, you couldn't walk. This is ultimately what happend in my singing

Answer 1

Do they have a money back guarantee if you're genuinely dissatisfied? Do they teach anything else where you took these classes? Maybe you can take something else instead of getting your money back? That's an awful lot of money to lose not to have any relief from your issue. Seems almost like a series of neck massages before you sing would have done you a better service :-) At $50 a pop, wow.

I've never taken Alexander classes, but the technique is too 'granola' for me. OK, I"m too lazy to get in tune with every sense and whatever in my body. I want a pill if it's available. If this is for your singing (and forgive me because you've likely already done this, but) how about a vocal coach or voice teacher? If anyone knows what singers do when their singing it's them. Depending on the type of music you sing, you could find someone well versed in that discipline and they may be able to help you. It could be more performance anxiety than precisely what your body is doing and learning a few techniques in that respect may ease your tension and make you a more confident performer.

That's just my two cents :-) I really hope you find the solution that works best for you and that you end up getting something better for your $2k!

Good luck!