Picture: NEIL NEWITT

Fifty years after the death of its Australian founder, the Alexander Technique is practised by tens of thousands worldwide. Sharon Mascall finds out why.

"Eek, Eek, Eek," we squeal in unison. Like demented mice we test our vocal chords, twanging them to the impossible rhythm of Dr Seuss, the children's poet and linguistic gymnast.

There is no embarrassment. Like old friends we share our Eeks, Moos and Hullabaloos. It's only when someone gets up to sing that cheeks begin to blush.