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Author listings with pictures: R
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The descriptions were written by Jean M. O. Fischer and do not represent
or necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers and authors. |
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Raff, Chris
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Chris Raff*
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First Steps to Alexander Technique
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| 2001 pb, 55 pages, ill., Australia, Axiom Publishing.
Out of print.
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| Rickover, Robert M. |
| The author starts by exposing the fitness myth, (that fitness is synonymous with health), and goes on to describe what real fitness is and how the Technique can help people achieve it. It contains several case-histories, covers what happens in a lesson, plus how to find teachers. It also gives examples of how some people use the Technique in Yoga, massage, osteopathy, aikido, physical therapy and pregnancy. |
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Robert M. Rickover*
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Fitness Without Stress
- A guide to the Alexander Technique
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| 1988 hb, 130 pages, no dustjacket, USA, Metamorphous Press.
In print: Amazon.com.
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| Robb, Fiona |
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Fiona Mackenzie Robb*
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Not to ‘Do’
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| 1999 hb, 185 pages, UK, Camon Press. 0953560104.
In print: e-mail: Fiona Robb.
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| A personal diary of 21 lessons with Margaret Goldie (1905-1997) between July 1995 and November 1996. |
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| Robinson, Lynne + Fisher, Helge |
| Pilates consists of gentle stretch and tension/relaxation exercises – often performed lying down. A characteristic of Pilates is to use deep abdominal muscles to support the spine (“navel to spine”). The system of Pilates used here is called “Body Control Pilates,” and the book contains over 30 new Pilates exercises. The Alexander Technique is featured with the semi-supine, “grounding while sitting” and the monkey. “Directing” is introduced but not other principles of the Technique. |
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Lynne Robinson + Helge Fisher*
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The Mind Body Workout
- With Pilates and the Alexander Technique
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| 1998 pb, 189 pages, pb, ill., 190x246 mm, UK, Pan Books.
Out of print.
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| More Pilates than Alexander. |
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| Russell, Mike |
| According to the blurb, the author once attended a lecture on the Technique, and it is certainly believable that he had no further contact with it. It is also likely that no one had any contact with the manuscript after it was drafted. There is very little text (the photographs take up most of the book but are mere glossy fillers) and what there is contains inaccuracies, mistakes, and banalities. You learn that before you can start driving “you have to get into the car.” Under “typical” examples of stress are: “Will anyone discover that I’ve cooked the books/robbed the till/fiddled my expenses?” The “only” answer to stress? “Find the solution to your fear and your stress will disappear.” Instructions such as “keep your spine straight, though bent forward” can be confusing. The book is full of exercises such as moving the head around to loosen the neck muscles, shaking the hands and taking deep breaths. The reader is repeatedly urged to “relax”. The description of a first lesson is not correct. As for the key concepts, inhibition gets a confused introduction. The directions “Let the neck be free . . .” are not explained at all; it is merely suggested that they should become like a mantra and “embedded at the sub-conscious level.” Primary control is nothing more than the correct alignment of head, neck and back. “Monkey” is the position obtained by sliding down a wall (here the drawings do not agree with the text). Most tellingly, there is no mention - nothing, nada, zilch - of the unreliability of feelings. This is possibly the worst book on the Technique ever. |
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Mike Russell
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Alexander Technique
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| 2002 hb, 94 pages, illustrated, 280 x 218 mm, inadequate index, UK, Caxton Editions. 1840673028.
In print: general.
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| Superficial, misleading, wrong, badly written, badly illustrated, etc. |
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Copyright 2001-2007 © Mouritz Ltd. All Rights reserved.
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The Syllabus of Physical Exercises for Public Elementary Schools, London, 1909, HMSO.
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