The Alexander Technique Manual: A Step-By-Step Guide to Improve Breathing, Posture and Well-Being

Rating:
Summary: a basic intro - not much beyond that
Review: This book was a big disappointment. From the title and the other customer's review, I assume that it really was a step-by-step guide to achieving at home the good breathing and posture habits that one learns in private lessons. I have taken many lessons from a wonderful teacher, and thought this would help supplement my lessons through home maintenance.

Well, this book is nothing more than a very basic intro to which areas of life Alexander can be applied. It says the same thing over and over - how great poise and good breathing can be for sitting, standing, golf, dance, singing, pool. I would think that your average person who has puchased this book would have already made up their mind that Alexander was a good thing and wouldn't need a glorified, extended promotional pamphlet to confirm this.

There are about 8 pages in the whole thing that give you some tips on self-evaluation and positioning, but other than that, it is really not of much practical use. Yes, there are many photos of people "before and after" alexander in particular positions, but that wasn't enough for my $13.

If you are looking to see how alexander can be applied to your life, maybe then this book would provide some value, but in truth, the Gelb book does a better job doing that anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to the Alexander Technique
Review: This is a great book for anyone who has heard about the many benefits of the Alexander Technique and would like to find out what it is. The Alexander Technique is often described in very mysterious terms when, in fact, it's quite a simple and practical process. And a very powerful process of self-transformation. Brennan's book is particularly valuable for the newcommer because of its great photographs. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this is certainly true for explaining the ideas of the Alexander Technique. The book also shows how the Alexander Technique can help with various specific activities. It also has some very interesting case histories. If you have an interest in learning more about the Alexander Technique, I'd get this book. Two other good introductions are "Body Learning" by Michael Gelb and "Fitness Without Stress - A Guide to the Alexander Technique" by Robert Rickover.