The International Congresses are a forum for workshops and presentations which bring teachers together to exchange work, knowledge, and experiences of the Technique. The focus may be practical or theoretical, and the purpose directed at improving our own use, developing the profession, developing teaching methods and enhancing our understanding of the Technique. The Congresses are open to everyone interested in the Alexander Technique.

Each Congress is run by a group of Congress Directors.
The work of the Congress Directors is supervised by the Board of International Alexander Technique Congress Directors.

» Video from the 1st International Congress of the F.M. Alexander Technique 1986 (4,96 MB, MPEG-Video)

» Slideshow from the 7th International Congress of the F.M. Alexander Technique 2004 in Oxford (4,32MB, Quicktime)

It was the American teacher Michael D. Frederick who set up the first congress in 1986 in response to the need for exchange of work and ideas between different strands of teaching. Since F. M. Alexander's death it was inevitable that different teachers would evolve in different directions, although the principles of the Technique have remained the same. Due to the openness and independence of the International Congresses, they have succeded admirably in bringing together all different traditions and styles of practising and teaching the Technique.

Article by Michael D. Frederick
"Reflections On Coordinating The International Congresses"

Article by Doris Dietschy
"Background and Significance"

Article by Jean M. O. Fischer
"The International Congress in Oxford"

1st Stony Brook, New York, USA 1986   
"The Alexander Technique, a Worldwide Perspective"
250 Participants   
Director: Michael Frederick

2nd Brighton, England August 1988
"Research, Training and Stagecraft"
500 Participants
Director: Michael Frederick

3rd Engelberg, Switzerland August 1991
"The Development of a Profession"
560 Participants   
Director: Michael Frederick

4th Sydney, Australia July 1994
"125 Years On: The Meaning of Change"
250 participants   
Director: David Garlick

5th Jerusalem, Israel 14-20 August 1996
"Back to Basics"
200 participants   
Directors: Shmuel Nelken, Ora Nelken, Rika Cohen

6th Freiburg, Germany August 1999
"An Ongoing Discovery: Looking Towards the 21st Century"
550 participants   
Directors: Karoline Erdmann, Daniel Susstrunk, Michael Fortwangler, Doris Dietschy

7th Oxford, England 6-22 August 2004
"Exploring the Principles"
710 participants
Directors: Jean M. O. Fischer, Peter Ribeaux, Lucia Walker