How to Loosen Up - The book
During the time that I was originally learning the Alexander Technique and while I was training as an Alexander Technique teacher, I encountered a number of challenges that suggested there were some opportunities to improve how the technique could be taught. However at the same time, this situation also higlighted the unique advantages of the technique and why it is so important for so many more people to be able to learn it more easily.
Soon after I completed my teacher training, I also had the opportunity to meet some of the leading edge teachers and innovators in the technique and I also learned several separate disciplines which helped me to be able to decipher what was going on in a person's mind as they were learning and applying the technique.
As a result, I developed a way of teaching the technique which made it far easier to understand and apply, and much quicker to learn.
When I first started learning the Alexander Technique, I was told that I would need at least 30 1/2 hour sessions at 2 sessions per week just to get to the most basic level of proficiency; equivalent to scales or simple tunes on an instrument. In practice, although I started to feel benefits quite early on, I had to continue a long way past the first 30 sessions to having 2 sessions per week for two and a half years (about 100 hours tuition, counting out holidays) before I then started training as an Alexander Technique teacher. It then took another two and a half years of full time training before the penny finally dropped and I at last understood what the technique was actually about and I could fully apply it to myself without needing continual top-ups from a teacher.
I can now get most people to that same level of self sufficiency (which means that you no longer need me) within 10 to 15 1 hour sessions.
It took me about seven years to hone my technique to more or less where it is today and since then I have been trying to write about it. There were several obsticles to this. One is that it is far easier to demonstrate and explain to someone face to face than it is to write about it. Another was that my writing style was rather clumsy. After much practice I seem to have developed a style that is easy enough to read without oversimplifying the message.
After five attempts at writing, I am now expecting to be able to publish the first electronic edition (kindle, iStore and .pdf) in spring 2012 and a printed version should follow soon after.
I will then develop various multimedia courses to make it even easier to learn and will start giving workshops for pupils as well as for established Alexander Teachers who want to learn my methods.
Contents
Here is a list of the contents written or planned so far
- Chapter 1 The Alexander Technique
The benefits
Returning to your natural state
Relaxing below the plateau level that most of us call relaxed
About poise, tension and habits
Alexander's story - Chapter 2 Releasing and Realigning
Understanding poise and tension
The Power of Thinking
The Primary Control
Unreliable sensations - Chapter 3 Habits and Choice
Alexanders problem with habits
True choice
The monkey trap
Being open and staying open - Chapter 4 Managing and Resolving Emotions
Effect of emotions
Purpose of and resolving emotions
NLP & various exercises - Chapter 5 Learning on your own
Techniques you can use on your own whether you are also learning with a teacher or not - Chapter 6 Learning with a Teacher
Getting the best from lessons
Structure and parts of lessons explained
Trusting your teacher - Chapter 7 Learning with a partner
Techniques for those who do not have access to teachers but can work with a partner - Chapter 8 Health Conditions
How the technique can help with a range of conditions - Chapter 9 Applying the technique
Performance areas
Everyday situations
Attitude to life - Appendices
Notes for established Alexander pupils and teachers
etc
Previews
If you want to become a pupil of mine, I will be happy to send you a preview of what I have written so far. You will also be welcome to my notes for pupils, available in .pdf form.
Updates
If you would like to be kept in touch with developments on this, then feel free to stay in contact through my HowToLoosenUp page on Facebook, or you can register for my email newsletter by sending a request to new-book@loosen-up.org
Booking
If you have any questions or want to book an appointment, then please call me
David Owen on 01752 361576 or local rate 0845 2068 705
(Landline is +44 1752 361 576 from abroad, or see my Contact and Find Me page.)
Please, if possible, call during normal working hours or early evening.
Be prepared to leave a message if I cannot answer in person.
I normally work during normal office hours from Monday to Friday, although evening and weekend appointments are occasionally available. Home visits are possible under the right circumstances.
My Practice
Weston Mill Practice & Mailing Address:-
64 Bridwell Road, Western Mill, Plymouth, Devon PL5 1AB UK
The practice is within easy reach of all parts of Plymouth (England UK), Plympton, Plymstock, Devon and Cornwall, including Caradon, Torpoint, Looe, Liskeard, Calstock, Callington, Saltash, Tavistock, South Hams, Ivybridge, South Brent, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Totnes, Salcombe and Kingsbridge.
I am also sometimes available in London and the South East for talks, demonstrations or personal work, or if there is sufficient demand, I can be available throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the World on an expenses paid basis, or for consultation by Skype.
You can also go to my Why see me page.