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 Sa Be e208) (OS J fe 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: RICHARD BRENNAN Ricard om we she in Gran: Binsin 1992 by exon kr Unsoete Sry, Dead ahd m sin te beads ate I 15 ah aed Mon, Babe roadie or ease ny fom or by any {her er macumlntbsur eo ‘orig ee Pater Cover desgy bp Yon et {ver liakor by Ud Hand nage ck Deagned by Rage ieee! Totti by Boi wd “ety DE nape Ll th an inc nd hn ae Ban Toe fa baer Guns Cuhoi-Palan Daa "The And see erbens funn tan, Tela bBhogeph eee ad TAloandarecque CBs aN aso 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