Master the Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique [Paperback]

Malcolm Balk (Author), Andrew Shields (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2006

Running is both a popular competitive sport and a highly effective form of exercise—a simple, inexpensive way to achieve a wide range of cardiovascular, muscular, and emotional benefits. Now, by combining running with the healthful body-awareness principles of the Alexander Technique, runners can improve their competitive performance while multiplying the health benefits of the sport and virtually eliminating its hazards. The proven methods of the Alexander Technique encourage good body use and greater awareness of the way the body functions and moves. Applied to running, the Technique teaches how to release tension and run without risk of injury. With special exercises for the head, eyes, torso, and legs, this unique approach radically improves results, both in training and competition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Malcolm Balk is a qualified Alexander Technique teacher, specializing in working with runners of all standards. He lives in America. Andrew Shields is Sport and Fitness Editor of Time Out magazine in London. He has twice been a runner-up in the British Sports Jounalism Awards.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Collins & Brown (March 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843403390
• ISBN-13: 978-1843403395
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Alexander Technique

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine and inspiring book, July 29, 2006

By 

David R. Herring "Herringbone" (Redwood Shores, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Master the Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique (Paperback)

I'm moved to add my positive review after noticing the negative one by S Hadley.
I found this book full of insight on the nuts and bolts of the running process as opposed to most of the other books I've read that take form as a given and instead focus on training regimes. I see it as a primer, a well thought out and very useful one: you can read it cover to cover or just open it and pick up some technical point to practice on your next run. It does mention the like of Haile Gebrselassie, Sebastian Coe and Merlene Ottey as role models but I found this inspiring and their form something to aspire to rather than the glib comment S Hadley alludes to.
One last thing. I bought the book 2 months ago and although my times have not come down noticably, my recovery rate and overall fatigue after a long run has diminished remarkably. I look forward to a largely injury free running future.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opened up a new world, August 18, 2008

By 

chungking (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master the Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique (Paperback)

This book introduced me to the possibility of "technique" in running, and started me on a journey (to the Pose Method, and barefoot running) that has dramatically changed the way I run - smoother, with less impact and fewer injuries.

I have to disagree with the first reviewer. While the book may not tell the entire story, I did get some very concrete and relevant tips - for instance, remembering to look ahead, and not down (as I had been) while running.

9 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Seems like a rough-draft with missing pages/chapters, July 23, 2006

By 

S. Hadley (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Master the Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique (Paperback)

The message of this book is simple: if you want to run better, simply run like Haile Gebr. Of course, there's no hint as to how to run like Gebr, but there are pretty pictures and oodles of "ideas" which totally lack any sort of flesh. The book is sporadic, repetitive and offers no useful examples. The concept of a new, almost holistic approach to running is interesting, but almost completely unexplored after the introduction.

I've attempted many of the techniques and found my running to quickly become less enjoyable, more labored and a lot slower. I'm an advanced runner and found only a handful of quotes to be useful. I see almost no purpose at all for a novice runner to read between these covers.