| First published in ExChange, vol. 12 no. 3. |
In her follow-on to Mind and Muscle (reviewed in the January 2001 ExChange), Elizabeth Langford continues to make connections with Alexander trainees and teachers, as well as audiences from other disciplines. Only Connect (the title is drawn from E. M. Forster’s beloved novel, Howards End) not only presents important information on the Technique, it demonstrates by example how to think and write clearly on the subject. As Walter Carrington notes in his foreword, this collection of articles, letters, and occasional pieces is not intended for the general public, but for the Alexander trainee and teacher. I concur that the book is “a valuable and thought-provoking contribution to the process of ‘continuing education’” and as such, should be in the lending library of all training courses (at least!). Nonetheless the clarity and personality of Ms. Langford’s writing could also appeal to the more advanced of those who come to us for lessons - there is much of general interest in her words of wisdom and caution to the Alexander community. Her article on “Verbal Communication” is a warning to teachers to say what they mean and mean what they say, in no uncertain terms, but it is also a delightful jaunt through literature from G. B. Shaw to P. G. Wodehouse, via Gurdjieff. The talk she gave to the Flemish Institute for Health Promotion would serve quite well among introductions to the Technique for any group class, with her down-to-earth and refreshing ways of expressing the principles, without in any way watering them down.
Having grown up on a steady diet of (pre-Disney) Winnie-the-Pooh, Mary Poppins, Rudyard Kipling, and Monty Python, I’m totally addicted to the straight-up-with-a-twist style of British parlance - I even get a thrill out of watching Tony Blair addressing the House of Commons on C-Span. The precision of Ms. Langford’s logic is a pleasure to follow in this era of fuzzy thinking, especially when delivered with such flair and grace - and humor.
The other topics in the book are: Personal responsibility; Speech as a function of the whole person; A talk for physiotherapy students; Parents, children and ‘posture’; Reflections on Only Connect: Theme and Variations; The basis of stress; A correspondence on teaching questions; Chairs; ‘Habitual Reflex Activity’; Translating directions; And talking of breathing. . .; Preparing for public speaking; Head and hands; On teaching the Alexander Technique to musicians; Educating the Public; Two open letters to Training Course students: Looking Ahead & Publicity.
I was particularly struck by “Educating the Public,” a talk she gave at the 1999 Freiburg Congress; had I read that before I was asked to submit my article on Marketing for the recent Direction magazine, I would have followed good advice in this book and shut up. She says it all, and eloquently, too. For anyone wrestling with issues of marketing and publicity (and aren’t we all, as individuals and societies?), I highly recommend giving her views careful consideration. Similarly, her two open letters to trainees should be required reading on training courses (and not just for the trainees). Along with the themes of precision, accuracy of information, and fidelity to Alexander’s discoveries that form the backbone of the book, her love for the work and her pupils, and her willingness to let their possibilities surprise and move her come shining through. We can all benefit from spending a few hours in such company!
At the Oxford Congress this summer, I had the good fortune of attending Ms. Langford’s workshop “The Ambush of Fear.” Alexander wrote extensively on the subject of “unduly excited fear reflexes” and their deleterious effect on functioning and learning; Ms. Langford herself began to explore the issue in her chapter in Mind and Muscle entitled “Muscles and Fear.” I look forward eagerly to her further reflections appearing in print. One cannot always travel to have the benefit of a great teacher’s input - books such as hers help to put such treasures within our reach, when (and as often) we are ready to benefit from them. In fact, I think I need to go back and re-read Mind and Muscle now!.
© Andrea Matthews. Reproduced with permission.
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This edition © Mouritz 2005. All rights reserved. |
