"It teaches people to understand the ways they are interfering with their natural coordination. It then teaches them how to stop that interfering. Alexander called this inhibition. Over a course of lessons, students acquire skills they can use any time and anywhere, to improve how they do any activity. Clear and consistent practice of the Technique, either alone or with a teacher, enables individuals

• to observe more keenly how they are doing any activity;
• to decide if they want to change how they are doing the activity;
• to decide in what way they want to change, and
• to consciously direct themselves in this new way.

An Alexander Technique teacher uses to a combination of verbal explanations and gentle touch to enable students to experience themselves released, connected, and supported. The teacher’s hands-on contact combined with verbal instruction helps students continue inhibiting their habitual response to a stimulus. This allows students to consciously direct themselves in new ways.

It is also important to note that the use of hands by Alexander Technique teachers differs in intent, character and result from that of practitioners of "bodywork" or massage, and should not be confused with either of these methods. Alexander Technique teachers use their hands to demonstrate directly a quality of easy and unforced movement. They bring the student’s attention to areas that may be habitually out of the student's awareness. A teacher's hands are used to educate the student, and are not used to effect a direct change on the condition of body tissues or range of motion. While at times a teacher’s touch may vary as required by the particulars of the moment, it is at all times educational, non-invasive, and respectful." (Source: http://www.ati-net.com/ati-alex.php) 

Excerpts from a full DVD introduction to the Alexander Technique with William Hurt and teacher Jane Kosminsky. Full lesson available on DVD at www.balanceofwellbeing.com
 

A bit more history of the technique:

Alexander Technique Books Tapes and Videos: http://www.ati-net.com/atibooks.php

The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique: http://www.alexandertechnique.com/

In the U.S. to become a teacher recognized by AmSAT you need to have completed a three year training program, consisting of a minimum of sixteen hundred hours of training. (http://www.alexandertech.org/training/TrainBroch.pdf)

International Organization of Alexander Technique Teachers: ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE INTERNATIONAL http://www.ati-net.com/