Customer Reviews

The Use of the Self

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It is important and necessary for an individual to be aware of his/her own body, both physically and mentally. As a musician, I have been even more acute to this phenomenon. I first became aware of the Alexander Technique in 2003 when a friend (a fellow musician) recommended it to me. It is useful both for those with exisiting problems (such as tendonitis) and for those who simply wish to maximize the use of themselves--this inevitably helps music-making. I started taking Alexander Technique lessons and realized the importance of this new way of thinking: new ideas were presented as well as new insights into common occurrences in daily life.

I bought a copy of this book, "The Use of the Self," and would highly recommend it to those familiar with the technique and for those that are simply curious. Though one can always learn more through private lessons, this book is an inexpensive and valuable guide to starting the process of change. I would also recommend Alcantara's book, "Indirect Procedures."

Although Alexander's writing style is spectacularly convoluted by today's standards, anyone who patiently reads through this book will come to appreciate what a gem it is! With this work, Alexander presented an explicit technology by which you can gain access to your unconscious processes, and program them effectively. In one of the most important works of the twentieth century, Alexander here opens up the whole field of "learning how to learn", in an unprecedented way.

I'm a doctor of chiropractic who has been interested in learning about alexander technique for some time. I'm on a budget so had to pick what I thought would be the best book (of many) on the subject to teach me the principles of this popular style. Unfortunately, this book was NOT the right pick. I suppose it would be interesting to someone who was curious about Alexander's thought processes which led him to the development of his method. But there is no practical information for a reader to apply the technique (whatever it is...?). Beyond a historical account of Alexander technique, this book offers zero value in my opinion. Disappointed.

Here is a work of high subtlety that will startle you with its revelation of what we all do with, and therefore to, ourselves. It is mind-expanding if you want to get to the seat of why we act under compulsion and what we can do about it, practically. Alexander, a man born in a small corner of the earth at the end of the Victoria era, discovered in himself first, and then under realization that his personal experiences had universal reference and application, the principles by which we "use" ourselves in an inseparable neural net of mind-body commands and responses.

Get a teacher (AmSAT or STAT certified) and then this book. Read it and study it. Your life will open up.

A seminal book, this is an essential reading for all those interested in Movement Science, or Experimental and Matematical Biophysics applied to Kinesiology in order to understand historical background for current methods of posture techniques.

Prof Heitor M Quintella, DSc

Although he came up with the technique that bears his name, Mr. Alexander was not a gifted writer. There are many other books out there, some with full color pictures. I suggest pretty much any book but this one, especially if you are new to Alexander technique. This book will only leave you scratching your head.