Change Your Posture, Change Your Life: How the Power of the Alexander Technique Can Combat Back Pain, Tension and Stress

by Richard Brennan

The Alexander Technique is a proven method for breaking down bodily tension to restore natural ease of movement. Change Your Posture, Change Your Life examines every aspect of the technique, from how to release muscle tension to the secret key to good posture.  This must-have guide will benefit all age groups and sufferers of muscular-skeletal problems like arthritis, backache, and headaches; parents concerned about their children's posture; anyone involved in sports and exercise; as well as musicians, actors, and health-care professionals.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jerzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never taken an Alexander technique class, but this book makes me curious to try. The approach seems reasonable: Take time instead of rushing everywhere, be mindful rather than mindless, etc.

My favorite takeaways:
* Standard chairs in school classrooms are *not* designed to be ergonomic for children -- they are designed to be easily stackable. That means the seat slopes back, which makes it impossible to sit naturally, so years of sitting in such chairs may well be a major cause of poor posture and back pain.
* Great explanation of some common misconceptions about where important joints are in the body: the neck meets the head not near the shoulders, but at the level of the ears; the hip-leg socket is much lower than we often think; etc. We try to bend from the wrong point and end up bending the spine, which is meant to rotate rather than bend -- another cause of problems. (This reminds me of "folk physics," people's common but wrong assumptions about how physics works.)
* Standing straight and rigid is unnatural -- standing with good posture doesn't mean keeping one fixed stance, but involves some swaying and flexibility. I wonder if the researchers who try to build bipedal robots have ever tried programming the Alexander approach into their machines :)

[Creston Mapes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters were good and informative, but then it got repetitive.

[Zivile · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a selling book: tells all the history but no real methods how to do this technique by yourself. You need to find a specialist.

[Hayley · Rating 1 out of 5]

it did not in-fact, change my life.

[Yury · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a plain advertisement going on and on forever, selling The Alexander Technique. There are sprinkles of hints here and there, but not more. Author never goes into details, assuming that the reader will buy his other 4 books mentioned in the Further Reading part. 15 chapters of this book is too much for what it is trying to sell.

I cannot recommend this book to anyone.

[Bertold · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book on AT, so I can't compare, but I got what I wanted: It described what is the AT, explained things, gave practical examples, and after I read it I was able to implement changes to my posture straight away. So I found it useful, and enjoyable. The advertisings in it are obvious, (at least its not hidden), but I am not embarrassed at all, as long as it really works, and I think it does.

[Sara J. (kefuwa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read through some, skimmed through some... ended up being somewhat like a primer on the Alexander Technique (did not know this as I just borrowed it based on the title alone). Quite intriguing.

[Frank · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is really just an advertisement for the Alexander Technique. I give it 1 star for the 1 pointer I got from it i.e. how I should sit in a chair. Do not read.

[-V- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know about somatics and mind/body workings, this was another good perspective into it, and I like how historically Frederick Alexander figured this out on his own. I wish that there were more exercises to try in the book, although I do understand that it can be helpful to have someone else who understands the body look out for you whilst trying to change your habits.

[J Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read other books about the Alexander Method. Those books mostly talked about the history of the method and recommend seeking out a certified practitioner.

In this book, the author gives an in-depth description of Alexander's life and how he developed the method. He then explains how to become aware of how you move your body.

I have found that I am becoming more aware of how I carry my body, and this has reduced pain.

[Noor Azran Aliasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explain concept of posture in easy to understand manner. Most of the fact is contrary with mass believe about posture.
And yes, Alexander Technique to improve posture really work. I have a good sleep just for practicing 1st time.

[Paul Brunger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Takes a long time to get to any exercises. Lots of repetitive background. The bits that do have a “so what?” are good.

[Radu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but the book does not contain much information. Mostly selling points.

[Lauren Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear and easy read peppered with good photographs to help illustrate key points. Richard Brennan has written many books on the Alexander Technique. This is one of his best, in my opinion.

[Christine Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Nearly everything that the book talked about applied to me. Although it doesn't give a lot of specifics, it has made me think about my posture and habits and am going to investigate lessons.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adding to Frank's review: That chairs should have level or forward sloping seat. Also, there's the reclined position in which to meditate on the self, breath, whatever--which seems familiar per Gokhale's posture book: unload the spine of our body's weight.

The (AT) concept seems to be avoiding bad habits, notably excess tension. These are bad because they draw us away from what a human body does naturally. Training the mind to know what the body is doing sounds like any physical coordination training. Unsure why this book was written; I see author Brennan has workbooks and exercise books and teaching books.

History chapters 2 & 3 earned the second star. Very easy, interesting reading.

[Wooface1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book into my research into Alexander Technique,
Though the book may be less practical compared to some other AT books,
It definitely does a lot of good as a introductory material into AT.
I read it back quite often glossing over the well depicted concepts and philosophies behind AT.
I would definitely recommend the book to anyone wanting to begin learning AT.

[Naomi Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so inspired by this book, I am doing a writeup on NaomiRules, my blog. And I've subscribed to an Alexander Technique blog and amazingly, found a seminar this weekend!!! I'm back to bending my knees and I am much more aware of how I use my body. And I started out pretty aware!

[John William Boundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing.

[Philski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but basically a glorified advertisement to find an Alexander practitioner. Very few concrete, actionable exercises.

[Soňa · Rating 3 out of 5]

chcelo by to viac cviceni a napadov, takto sa clovek navnadi :)

[Alfred]

Thought provoking

Thought provoking read on the subject of posture. Never imagined there were so many repercussions to bad posture. Certainly got me thinking.