Review: Balk: The Art of Running

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Alexander Technique Review 8.12.17

Reviews

Malcolm Balk* + Andrew Shields

The Art of Running
- With the Alexander Technique

2000 pb, 144 pages, illustrated, 215 x 175 mm, UK, Ashgrove Publishing.

In print: general.

1. Review by Marta Baron Holczer

2. Review by Annette Schmidt

1. Review by Marta Baron Holczer

First published in STATNews, vol. 6, no. 2, September 2000.

Malcolm Balk is both an Alexander Technique teacher and an experienced runner. He has been applying the Alexander Technique to running for the last 20 years.

Malcolm conceives the act of running as an invaluable opportunity to develop our creativity, have fun and learn to adapt and deal with change. Being fit for life is an end that he considers worth working for. In order to reach that target, he applies the principles of the Alexander Technique as the means to improve the use of himself while running. Running provides a good challenge if we are to apply Alexander principles and he states that it is possible to run, competitively or not, maintaining a good use of ourselves. The means he advocates to accomplish the desired end are to do with refusing to make of running a repetitive and mindless activity.

Basic concepts on the Alexander Technique such as faulty sensory appreciation, primary control, direction or inhibition, are explained for those who are not familiar with them. He also explains some concepts related to physical culture, such as fitness or level of training. This provides some useful information for those who have heard of these terms but are not sure of their meaning and implications.

It is worth reading carefully the chapter where Malcolm goes through the actual procedures to learn how to run being aware of the way we use ourselves. It is interesting to note that he does not take for granted that everyone should be able to run without compromising the postural mechanisms. For this reason, he goes through misconceptions about running and gives useful tips regarding breathing, use of the eyes, use of the arms, change of pace and so on. Runners as well as people interested in the Alexander Technique should find it useful to read this chapter.

There is a whole chapter that provides procedures designed to improve awareness while running. These are not specific exercises but they take into consideration the use of the whole self.

There are several case studies of people coming from different backgrounds and they provide a whole range of experiences related to running and the Technique. On the other hand he provides more than 80 photographs to illustrate what he explains.

This book is a valuable piece of work quite simply because it gives us an insight into a very common activity nowadays. Any Alexander Technique teacher is likely to have pupils who are runners and would like to improve their performance or are in trouble because of it. Teachers wanting to learn something about the mechanics of running, those who would like to challenge themselves and get fit without misusing themselves, or those who simply want to read someone else’s experience with this Technique can enjoy and learn a great deal with this book.

2. Review by Annette Schmidt (www.silverfoxstudio.net)

First published in AmSAT News, no.

Malcolm Balk and Andrew Shield’s new book, The Art of Running with the Alexander Technique, is a gem of both inspiration and technical information. This slim paperback is filled with photographs that support the text. There are case histories from all levels of runners and in-depth explanations that illustrate the Alexander principles. The writing is clear, practical, specific, motivating, and often funny. A full chapter on how to run well provides specific information, much of which is also a great help for teaching walking as well as running. I appreciated the specific sections on the following: breathing, ten great reasons for lying down, benefits of the Alexander Technique for runners, and a final section for competition and the winning edge. The book is helpful for the novice or an experienced runner, as well as the Alexander teacher. The back cover claims that the authors “show the reader how to achieve and maintain fitness without injury and how to overcome self-imposed limitations to enjoyable and successful running.” I believe it to be a true claim.

After reading The Art of Running with the Alexander Technique, I was encouraged to try running using the Alexander principles. I made this attempt at running sixteen-years after my knee injury curtailed my recreational running. I have succeeded in being able to run again with joy, thanks to my Alexander training and to the techniques described in this book.