The Alexander Technique Workbook: Your Personal Program for Health, Poise and Fitness

146 Pages·1992·4.12 MB·English

by  Richard Brennan

The Alexander
Technique
Workbook

Richard Brennan &
The Alexander
Technique sss
Workbook #22: ®

natural consequence of ‘wear
and tear’, and not realize that we can do something positive about it.

tn fact, many common ailments ster from stress and a range of
snuciar tensions caused by bad postare or poor body co-ordination
Nich can increase as we grow oldet. Rather than belng a nacural
pare of the ageing process, there censlons, If unchecked, can
Becelerace an can develop ac nest and even cause deform.

Developed at the urn of the century by-E M. Alexander, the
Alexander Technique is a simple method of learning to be more
aware of how we move as we go about our everyday activides. The
aim is to regain the nacural grace and balance of a child, and to
discover easier and more efficient ways of movement thus reducing
the everyday tensions which have built up during the years

In this step-by-step guide, Richard Brennan outlines the Alexander
Technique and, by means of a serles of simple exercises and
procedures, shows how the technique can help us achieve a healthler
and more balanced life

Richard Brennan is a qualified teacher of the Alexander Technique. He
lives and works in Devon where he runs courses and workshops as well as
_lving individual lessons

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TE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE WORKBOOK

[Richard Brennan is ¢ qualified teacher of the
‘Alexander Technique, having completed a full tine
‘taining course approved by thw Society of Teachers of
the Aloander Technique. Blu naw runs courses and.
workshups, as wull as giving individual Jessons,
Mealth Essentiats: The Alesander Technique
The
Alexander
Technique
Workbook

YOUR PERSONAL PROGRAMME FOR HEALTH,
POISE AND FITNESS:

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CONTENTS

Introduction vii

In the Beginning 4
‘The Quest Begins 5

Why Do We Need the Alexander Technique? 12
Whal is the Alexander Technique? 20

Hou Alexander's Discovery is Relevant Today 27
How Can We Begin to Help Ourselves? 34

‘The Mechanics of Movernent_ 43

Faulty Sensory Perception 23

Inhibition 60

Dizection 67

Senses, Habits and Choices 75

“Muscles and Reflexes. 86

‘Meang and Ends 100

Give Your Back a Rest 108

What to Kxpect fram on Alexander Lusuoa 114
Case Histories 121

SREUBEB peugopane

Further Reading 131
Useful Addresses. 132
Index 135
RECOMING [6 THE
ONLY END OF LIFE,

Roert Lams Sterensom

This book is dedicated to
all thase who have the
cousrage to take the rick
necessary to discover their
Tene Sof
INTRODUCTION

‘The Alexander Technique is a method of eeleusing the physi-
‘cal and mental tensions that many of us have accusiulated
‘throughout our lives, Often we are unaware ofthese tensions
‘until We become Ul and are unable to go on, They can be

ible for headaches, Dackache, heatt problems,
and depression, as well a whale range of allments
‘we numerans to mention, Tf these unconscious muscular
‘tensions are allawed ta continue, as they often are, they can
affectour quality af ite by accelerating the ageing pracest and
‘decreasing our vitality.

‘The ease and grace with which we move slowly become lost
as we take un more burdens and responsibilities. The
‘Alorander Techalque can help usto regala that poise and ease
uring even the sost simple tasks, Our budy is our most
‘ptecious possession, yetwe tend to give i the least attention
part from when we are trying t0 look attractive. Without
Keuvwing it, we grossly interfere with our natural ow of
‘movement fu such an extent that many of us will at wome time
in our lives suffer from backacke, solely due to paor posture
‘Yet there is nothing more attractive than someone Who is
‘moving in a balanced and co-ordinated way.

Few people are aware that the Alexander Technique exists,
and ag a tesult many millions of people every year suifer
needlessly. In this book hope to explain the Alexander Tech~
nique assinply as possible, and through simple exercises end.
procedures to show dearly how il can help you (o enjoy a
happier and more felling lite,
ACKNOWLEVGE MENTS

| would lke to thank Caroline Green for her constant suppor:
and belp with the writing of this book. E would alko like tn
thank Susan Mears and Valeria hnlay af Hlement Books for
heir efforts during all the stages of the production of this
ook