These two new books both aim to “demystify” the Technique though each is written for a different readership. Jonathan Drake’s book, is intended “primarily to be used as a Workbook” by those already having lessons. It aims to “bridge the gap between the basic ideas . . . and their practical application”. Richard Brennan targets those with no prior experience.

[Here follows the review of Jonathan Drake’s Body Know-How.]

In Richard Brennan’s book the style is light and informal. In his endeavour to write a book that is “understood by anyone” his descriptions are often so oversimplified that they lose their essential meaning or miss the point completely.

The text is riddled with inconsistencies. Although he states on page 4 (and in the section pp 7-8) that the Technique involves a process of re-education he variously refers to it as treatment or therapy. At times he gets carried away with patronising remarks like the warning that your first 5 or 6 lessons will most likely be “confusing’”and not easily understood. It is indeed reassuring, to hear that “Awareness is quite hard at first, but gets easier with practice”.

It is when the author gets down to the nitty-gritty of the Technique that he is at his most wayward. The reader is informed, for instance, that the Primary Control “is the major reflex”. Could this be a misinterpretation of Patrick Macdonald’s definition, “The Primary Control is the name given to the head, neck, back relationship which Alexander discovered acted as a kind of master reflex for the whole body.” (Rahula Books, 1989)? One can only guess. Brennan’s view is that, “due to the fact that people have few sense receptors in the neck, it is very difficult to tell when you are tensing your neck muscles and when you are not” (p.21). That he can suggest this, is surprising in view of the amount of evidence to the contrary. (See Garlick, 1990, The Lost Sixth Sense reference to the work of V Abrahams et al, “the small deep muscles of the neck are important since these muscles contain large numbers of receptors (spindles)” .... “much higher than in other muscles.” (pp 21, 19) See also: Cooper & Daniel 1963 Journal, Brain vol 86 pp 563-586.)

On the subject of inhibition, Brennan’s writing also lacks clarity. His suggestions for practical work are generally too brief (eg. squatting) to be of any real practical help to those not already having lessons - with, little mention of the importance of attention to the means-whereby.

Supporting information treads familiar, well-trodden paths with no surprises, only one: “Sir Charles Sherrington, dedicated his [Nobel] prize-winning speech to Alexander’s work”! He is, of course, refeting to the speech by Nikolaas Tmbergen, late Emeritus Professor of Animal Behaviour, Oxford.

“Used as evidence...” such carelessness could be a setback to the credibility of the Technique. However, although there is much with which to take issue, the anthor’s enthusiasm will, no, doubt, appeal to many of his readers and prompt them to book that all-important first lesson.

© Malcolm Williamson. Reproduced with permission.