The Alexander Technique: How to Use Your Body without Stress

by Wilfred Barlow

The Alexander Technique, a revolutionary method of bodywork pioneered by the late F.M. Alexander, provides the key to successful body dynamics. Now, in this updated and revised edition, Wilfred Barlow's classic guide to Alexander's work explores every phase of the technique.

Today, the Alexander Technique has a world-wide following and is respected as a major contribution to the fields of medicine, education, and psychiatry. Barlow, the foremost exponent and teacher of Alexander's work, explains how your mental, physical, and sexual well-being are affected by the way you use--or misuse--your body. He shows you how to reduce mental stress and muscular tension by becoming more aware of balance, posture, and movement in everyday activities.

Genres: Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1991

Reviews

[Denis Vasilev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Очень уж абстрактно, будто сказать нечего

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have done the Alexander Technique on and off for many years and I have recently decided to become certified to teach it. I read this for some background reading before starting school and this book, combined with my knowledge and experience of the technique was INCREDIBLY helpful and informative. Much of what Alexander teaches you is self-observation. Since we humans develop a lot of the same mis-use habits (a fact that I actually did not know until reading this book), many of these patterns of mis-use are discussed in the book. It was almost like a roadmap. I could observe SOME habits I had, but this in a sense told me what things to notice; am I clenching my stomach and arching my lower back? Am I lifting one shoulder higher than the other? Is my torso twisted toward one direction? Etc. I came away after reading this book not only with a better understanding of the Alexander Technique and the way it is taught, but with a better understanding of myself and my own patterns and habits of mis-use. And because I was able to come away with a better understanding of the latter, I will make faster progress when it comes to unlearning bad habits and developing good habits.