The Alexander Technique Manual [antikvár]

Introduction It is often said that the trouble with the human body is that it does not come with a user's manual. Life would be much simpler if it did. This book aims to go some of the way towards fulfilling our need to understand ourselves and how we work. The Alexander Technique can help you to lead a more rewarding life, because if you use your body with more care and awareness now it will serve you well later on. The stresses and strains of tnodern-day living can result in persistent muscle tension which affects our natural balance and co-ordination. This muscle tension can become chronic as a result of the mental, emotional and physical demands of life, and eventually it fixes itself within the body, distorting our physical structure and contributing to many of the health problems that are becoming increasingly prevalent in society today. When I mention to someone that I teach the Alexander Technique, they often sit bolt upright, arching their back and pulling their shoulders back, thinking that they have now improved their posture in the way they were told to at school. They could not be further away from what the Alexander Technique is really about. Posture is far more complex than just standing or sitting up straight; it is the way in which we support and balance our bodies against the ever-present force of gravity while we go about our daily activities. In short, the human body is an amazing anti-gravity mechanism, yet most of us unconsciously interfere with its natural workings. In my opinion, this is the main reason why, for instance, millions of people throughout the Western world suffer from debilitating back pain. Although the Alexander Technique is far reaching in its effects, it is at the same time simple in principle and can be easily understood by anyone - the only requirements are patience and a willingness to learn about yourself By gradually becoming aware of tension and letting go of it, you will achieve a more relaxed muscular system, and this will automatically relieve or prevent many aches and pains and allow a less restricted functioning of the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. Since the way in which we feel physically also affects our mental and emotional outlook on life, releasing muscular tension can also help us to become more calm and generally happier in our day to day lives. The aim of this manual is to convey the basic principles of the Technique, explain how they came about and demonstrate how you can start applying them to your own life. There is a section on pregnancy with specific advice on how the Technique can be helpful during tliis very important time of life, and how it can alleviate many of the aches and pains that are so often taken for granted. And the chapter on sport will help you to be aware of the way you move during various sporting activities, and also show you how you might be able to improve your performance. The human race has explored outer space and the depths of the oceans in the quest for knowledge; now it is time for us to learn about one of the most fascinating and intriguing subjects of all - ourselves!