Tony found that sitting around for a long period time in an orchestra led to his having posture problems, and to question whether he was holding his body to create the least tension and stress. He found answers to his questions in the works of FM Alexander and became interested in the Alexander Technique.
The Alexander Technique is much prized by many musicians, and others, as a way of minimizing tension in performance and practice. It also has many helpful suggestions and exercises for how to hold and use the body best in many walks of life, for instance, in acting. It is also taught in a number of music colleges. It is often seen as part of an holistic approach to performance and practice, which allows the body not to hinder the virtuosity or long-stretches of playing.
Tony Cross became so interested in practising the Alexander Technique that it has become part of his professional life and he is studying to become a teacher of it.
