2020-12-27

Book Review: Michael Gelb, Body Learning: An Introduction To The Alexander Technique

This book (its German edition) was given to me by my Alexander teacher when I asked her for a recommendation.

I like it. It is well-structured: 

  1. basic terms, 
  2. a in my opinion honest and enthusiastic exposition of the possibilities this technique has to offer (spoiler: it's not only about posture), 
  3. exemplary, in my opinion sometimes pessimistic, exposition of the possibilites this technique has to offer when teached in schools, and 
  4. a tentative list of suggestions for self-experimentation without teacher.


I am not sure if I would have understood the d) part as I do now after some Alexander lessons. I think lessons are some kind of shortcut to the experiences Alexander has to offer.

Mindblowing for me was how close related Alexander-Technique and John Dewey's philosophy are. I am still sorting this out.