Bodystories: A Guide to Experiential Anatomy

by Andrea Olsen, Caryn McHose (Contributor)

BodyStories is a book that engages the general reader as well as the serious student of anatomy. Thirty-one days of learning sessions heighten awareness about each bone and body system and provide self-guided studies. The book draws on Ms. Olsen’s thirty years as a dancer and teacher of anatomy to show how our attitudes and approaches to our body affect us day to day. Amusing and insightful personal stories enliven the text and provide ways of working with the body for efficiency and for healing. BodyStories is used as a primary text in college dance departments, massage schools, and yoga training programs internationally.

Genres: Bodies, Nonfiction, Health, Theatre

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Suzan Lemont · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read/do for anyone interested in embodiment and particularly in Experiential Anatomy/Body Mind Centering as a channel towards greater understanding and use of the body and how to integrate it with the mind. Inspiring on every level. As a dance movement therapist and a teacher of body-mind integration practices/embodied philosophy this is one of the books I have been using for 25 years, and one of the 5-6 that I recommend again and again to those wishing to expand their knowledge of embodiment.

[Ashwini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will stay with me. it's a practical book, which is something I would like to refer to and go back to practice again and again

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book and loved the idea of experiential anatomy, but it didn't really pan out the way I thought it would. That being said, I used the body scan in here to lead a body scan meditation at my old job. It was specifically a multi-age class, so I led a meditation for children and adults despite being a massive novice. And sometimes that makes me proud of myself and sometimes it makes me laugh.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

By all means an interesting personal journey of the human anatomy but one that separates the reader from their own. The distance between the hard anatomy and the soft-core and soppy body stories the read must sit through are not well connected. There are also many parts of the human body left out that may not have been important to the author but were so to the reader.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I read this book on and off. It is a good way to learn anatomy and to change movement patterns as well as other things like the way one thinks. I love her book. I met her once and I was starstruck. I was too self-conscious to have her sign my book, but I really wanted her too.

[Janie]

This book is on the reading list for my somatic movement studies. Experiential anatomy is an important way to learn of the inner workings of the body, not just by memorizing its anatomical parts but considering it as a whole, living, moving, sacred entity.

[kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books I've ever read. The intuitive person's guide to the human body. The instruction manual I wish I'd gotten at birth.