| First published in STATNews, vol. 5, no. 6, January 2000. |
Here is a book that will proudly take the F.M. Alexander Technique into the year 2000 and beyond. This small, exceedingly well written book is the author’s second on the Alexander Technique. De Alcantara’s first book entitled, Indirect Procedures - a musicians’ guide to the Alexander Technique was published in 1997 by Oxford University Press.
The Alexander Technique - A Skill for Life is written with sparkling intelligence, a keen wit and is the product of one who practises what he preaches. It is a book that has universal appeal and as such can be the one suggested when asked that all too familiar question, “What book could you recommend for more information on the Alexander Technique?” It is for the serious enquirer. It is a slim, beautifully presented book that is robust in content and contains some twenty fascinating photographs as well as illustrations.
Starting with the Introduction, the reader is given an example of how the Alexander teaching principle invites you to think differently about your use. De Alcantara writes, “To improve your use, you need not ‘do the right thing’, but stop doing the wrong one - that is, stop end-gaining” and continues, “remember, that you do not inhibit misuse; instead, you inhibit the end-gaining of which misuse is an effect.”
Throughout the book, the author explains that lessons in the Alexander Technique will make you aware of the inseparability of body, mind and emotion. In fact, de Alcantara takes great care not to talk about “the body” or “the mind” as separate entities, referring instead to the use of the self, as did F.M. Alexander. This concept has an immediate appeal to a vast array of people from the performing artist to people in pain, to the General Practitioner, the sports enthusiastic to the barrister.
The author explains how the Alexander Technique demonstrates constantly that one’s postural use is synonymous with attitude and beliefs, and that the way we choose to use ourselves affects our entire emotional state. F.M. Alexander once stated, “Talk about a man’s individuality and character: it is in the way he uses himself.”
The book stays strictly to Alexander’s principle without mixing it with other disciplines. The author demonstrates the uniqueness of the teaching and why if offers long-term, fundamental change and improvement in one’s manner of use and functioning in all areas of life.
A variety of people who have experience of the Technique have contributed to the book. The book has ten chapters in which F.M. Alexander’s teaching principle is clearly and skilfully explained. There are chapters on, Health and Well- Being; The Performing Artist; Sports and Exercise and an extensive chapter on Emotions. Much talked of, but little understood “Inhibition” is thoroughly discussed and there are examples of how the author teaches inhibition and direction to his pupils. No doubt many teachers will find his teaching method fascinating and innovative. The many other aspects unique to the Alexander Teaching are also pointed out succinctly.
There are many interesting subheadings such as; To do or not to do; Alexandrian Inhibition and Lifestyle; Inhibition and the Expression of Feelings; Personal Relationships; The essence of a Lesson, Stimulus and reaction, The Logic of a Lesson, The Teacher’s Touch; Traditional Procedures and a very funny essay on kissing!
This book is a delightful read and will no doubt encourage many who read it to come along for lessons in order to regain self-control, a heightened awareness, health and well-being and an ongoing emotional maturity which are just some of the benefits that make the Alexander Technique a skill for life.
© Diana Devitt-Dawson. Reproduced with permission.
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This edition © Mouritz 2005. All rights reserved. |
