The Alexander Technique: A Skill for Life

This book was recommended to me by my Alexander technique Instructor. Although no book can really replace an Alexander instructor, this book is a very good companion guide with your lessons. The author gives a very good introduction to the technique, an understanding into what the technique is and what it is not. He also gives several examples and pictures to illustrate 'good use' and 'bad use'. There are many useful insights that illustrate how the technique is not about maintaining a certain body posture, but it is about the use of the self (The self includes body, speech and thinking). The author also beautifully explains the concepts of non-doing, end-gaining, inhibition and direction etc.There are also accounts by people who caused injuries to themselves through bad use and recovered after learning the Alexander technique. These stories are pretty insightful and inspirational. I myself have suffered from chronic hip pain because of misuse, and have been on the path to recovery after learning the technique.The technique although quite simple can take a considerable amount of time to learn, understand and implement into everyday use. So I would highly recommend this book (along with taking lessons from a personal instructor) which can accelerate one's understanding of the technique. I benefited a lot from reading this book and it helped me improve my use tremondously.

Alcantara’s writing is clear; his presentation of the Alexander Technique makes it understandable. He weds practical insights with the deeper aspects of the Technique seamlessly. As an Alexander Technique teacher, I recommend this book highly.

Pedro de Alcantara is a wonderful teacher. This book clearly explains the technique and most of all our mechanical habitual unconscious shortcomings. Intelligently written. Anybody who wants to learn intellectually what this technique is about should read this book. I highly recommend it.

i keep feeling that it's a book for those who wants to become an instructor. i wanted to use it for myself by myself. doesn't seem enough for me to understand the technique.

Excellent general behavioral guidance for living a good healthy life.

If I had to recommend one book to a beginning student of the Alexander Technique, it would be this one. Pedro's writing style conveys the subtlety of the AT while remaining thoroughly readable and quite humorous at times. It is no substitute for lessons with a qualified teacher, but is an excellent companion on the journey.Pedro's "Indirect Procedures" is also excellent and goes into greater depth. Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique (Clarendon Paperbacks)

Good approach to the Alexander techniques but also includes other aspects besides the physical part.

This book gives a wonderful picture of the philosophy of the Alexander Technique, and how it is applied in everyday life. The pages sing with musicality.

I have had The Alexander Technique classes and decided to buy the book also, I enjoyed reading it and you can go back to it anytime for a reference.

This book might be well written but it does have very few illustrations on posture as advocated by the Alexander Technique. Teaching it well is rare to find and also good explanatory books, which is a shame.

I did 'nt like this at all, the exercises were not at all clear to me.

Good explanations and in depth enough whilst easy to relate to.

I took alexander classes a few years ago after a car accident that broke my neck and almost killed me. after surgery I managed to walk away but obviously took with me serious neck issues. I wont go any further into details other than to say that almost instantly (!) during my first classes my neck felt much much better, as if someone had oiled it and loosened it up, and I was an instant and very surprised convert to a subtle and frustrating and amazing process that went much further than just recovering from an accident.I borrowed many books from my teachers, across a spectrum of styles and approaches to the subject, (dont bother with the books by Alexander himself, they are a mess, as gifted as he was the guy couldn't write) and this one is the one I liked the best. I have to admint that starting the book I didn't like it so much for a reason I cant really pin down, but by the end I had changed my mind and thought it was an excellent overall explanation and very incisive and clear. Made me much more aware of the "mind, character and attitude" side of the technique, rather than just the physical aspects.When I recently wanted to brush up on my alexander technique, I bought this book to refresh my memory. Reading it again, I can only say I still like it just as much.