The Alexander Principle
Wilfred Barlow
Frederick Matthias Alexander was born in 1869 in Tasmania and died in London in 1955. During his lifetime he formulated and developed a theory which has become known as the Alexander Principle. This Principle, which is increasingly being accepted by medical, educational and psychiatric workers, states that a great deal of modern man's illness can be traced to the way in which he uses and carries his body; muscles are tense when they should not be; backs are "humped", vertebrae contracted together, the neck is sunk down into the chest; stomachs are allowed to slip forward out of the pelvic girdle, instead of being retained under proper muscular control; legs are constantly crossed and toes turned in, tensing and straining all the muscles from the hips. Is it, therefore, any wonder that we suffer with arthritis, pain in the back, slipped discs, rheumatism, fibro-sitis, hypertension and an enormous variety of nervous diseases. which are considerably aggravated by the muscular tension that we produce in ourselves by the way we use our bodies.
Dr Barlow studied under Alexander and now teaches the Principle to future teachers at an institute which is recognised by the Inner London Education Authority. He combines this with his work as a specialist in the National Health Service.
The Alexander Principle covers every aspect of the subject in a clear and meticulous style. The Principle itself is explained and exemplified with many precise references to the mis-use of our bodies. The way in which our stance affects our health is fully discussed and illustrated; and methods of teaching (and learning) the proper use of muscles and limbs are elucidated in a way which is neither too technical nor too simplified.
Wilfred Barlow
Frederick Matthias Alexander was born in 1869 in Tasmania and died in London in 1955. During his lifetime he formulated and developed a theory which has become known as the Alexander Principle. This Principle, which is increasingly being accepted by medical, educational and psychiatric workers, states that a great deal of modern man's illness can be traced to the way in which he uses and carries his body; muscles are tense when they should not be; backs are "humped", vertebrae contracted together, the neck is sunk down into the chest; stomachs are allowed to slip forward out of the pelvic girdle, instead of being retained under proper muscular control; legs are constantly crossed and toes turned in, tensing and straining all the muscles from the hips. Is it, therefore, any wonder that we suffer with arthritis, pain in the back, slipped discs, rheumatism, fibro-sitis, hypertension and an enormous variety of nervous diseases. which are considerably aggravated by the muscular tension that we produce in ourselves by the way we use our bodies.
Dr Barlow studied under Alexander and now teaches the Principle to future teachers at an institute which is recognised by the Inner London Education Authority. He combines this with his work as a specialist in the National Health Service.
The Alexander Principle covers every aspect of the subject in a clear and meticulous style. The Principle itself is explained and exemplified with many precise references to the mis-use of our bodies. The way in which our stance affects our health is fully discussed and illustrated; and methods of teaching (and learning) the proper use of muscles and limbs are elucidated in a way which is neither too technical nor too simplified.
Wilfred Barlow
Frederick Matthias Alexander was born in 1869 in Tasmania and died in London in 1955. During his lifetime he formulated and developed a theory which has become known as the Alexander Principle. This Principle, which is increasingly being accepted by medical, educational and psychiatric workers, states that a great deal of modern man's illness can be traced to the way in which he uses and carries his body; muscles are tense when they should not be; backs are "humped", vertebrae contracted together, the neck is sunk down into the chest; stomachs are allowed to slip forward out of the pelvic girdle, instead of being retained under proper muscular control; legs are constantly crossed and toes turned in, tensing and straining all the muscles from the hips. Is it, therefore, any wonder that we suffer with arthritis, pain in the back, slipped discs, rheumatism, fibro-sitis, hypertension and an enormous variety of nervous diseases. which are considerably aggravated by the muscular tension that we produce in ourselves by the way we use our bodies.
Dr Barlow studied under Alexander and now teaches the Principle to future teachers at an institute which is recognised by the Inner London Education Authority. He combines this with his work as a specialist in the National Health Service.
The Alexander Principle covers every aspect of the subject in a clear and meticulous style. The Principle itself is explained and exemplified with many precise references to the mis-use of our bodies. The way in which our stance affects our health is fully discussed and illustrated; and methods of teaching (and learning) the proper use of muscles and limbs are elucidated in a way which is neither too technical nor too simplified.
