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Book Details
Abstract
Focussing on distinct body practice from a range of different methods, Graeme Lynn demonstrates how to use the physical body to encourage general health and wellbeing. Starting with the fundamental concepts of movement to more advanced practice, this book will serve as a comprehensive guide to developing the physical body to transform the quality of movement, and bring greater pleasure and effectiveness into every action.
Specific lessons include The Alexander Technique, The Feldenkrais Method, and Hatha Yoga. Describing the core benefits of these methods, why they complement each other and how to use them, this is essential reading for students and practitioners of somatic methods as well as anyone interested in learning new ways to optimise health and wellbeing.
Through his uncommonly broad experience and practice with the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, Hatha yoga, Rolfing and Hanna Somatics, Graeme Lynn has clarified the underlying principles that unify them. In this thoughtful and insightful analysis, Graeme effectively highlights their similarities and differences and provides the reader with interesting and practical exploratory exercises to deepen self-understanding . His book is a 'must read' for both experienced practitioners and also for those interested in improving the quality of functional life.
Al Wadleigh, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, owner of TheFeldenkraisStore.com
Informative and insightful. If you are interested in how you move, breathe and think, this is the book for you. Lynn's wide ranging experience and years of explorative study is clearly presented and delivered. Read it and learn more about yourself.
Carolyn Nicholls, AT teacher, head of training at Brighton Alexander Technique College, and author of Body Breath and Being, and The Posture Workbook
Graeme Lynn is a somatic integrationist, melding the ideas of Moshe Feldenkrais, F.M. Alexander and Hatha Yoga into a valuable resource for both the knowledgeable and the initiates among us. At the centre of this book lies learning, awareness and the basic principles of good self-organization. Enjoy this book and improve your health
David Zemach-Bersin, senior Feldenkrais practitioner and trainer, Feldenkrais Institute of New York, and original student of Dr Moshe Feldenkrais
I have known Graeme Lynn for over 35 years and his lifetime's study of somatic methodology shines through in this volume, "Awakening Somatic Intelligence". Graeme has brought together three unique streams of thought and practice in an exemplary fashion. A treasure chest for the neophyte but equally valuable to the experienced practitioner. An important book to include on one's journey toward conscious awareness.
Marta Hunter, senior Alexander Technique teacher and trainer, Vancouver, BC
Graeme Lynn has studied and practiced the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method for more than thirty years. He has trained as well in Hatha yoga and Ida Rolf's structural bodywork and is among a handful of individuals who studied intensively with Thomas Hanna. His continued commitment to the practice of somatic methodology has resulted in successful client-based and personal work in the resolution of functional issues.
Table of Contents
Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Awakening Somatic Intelligence - Understanding, Learning and Practicing the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method and Hatha Yoga by Graeme Lynn | 3 | ||
The Natural State | 9 | ||
Introduction | 11 | ||
The Infinite Network of Possibility | 11 | ||
Freedom from Reaction - Michael D. Frederick | 14 | ||
The Nature of Water | 19 | ||
Summary Views | 25 | ||
The Evolution of a Technique | 25 | ||
Essentials of the Work | 34 | ||
Freedom | 35 | ||
The foundation of learning | 36 | ||
The integrity of the physical mechanism | 36 | ||
Relaxation | 36 | ||
The human process as an integrated psychophysical event | 37 | ||
The universality of self-contracting habits of movement, coordination and acture \nand the resultant unreliability of \nself-sensing and vicious spiral of increasingly unreliable and ineffective function | 38 | ||
The fourteen senses | 40 | ||
The fact of a senior organizing function | 42 | ||
The importance of good habits | 43 | ||
Structure, Function, Self‑Organization and Use | 44 | ||
Yoga: Structure and function | 47 | ||
Basic Coordination | 49 | ||
Motor concepts and percepts | 50 | ||
The causes of pain | 52 | ||
The actural dynamic | 55 | ||
The hip joints, the movement of the pelvis and grounding | 57 | ||
More on giving directions | 58 | ||
Organizing Principles | 62 | ||
Use | 62 | ||
Attention (interested observation) | 63 | ||
Intelligence | 64 | ||
The primary control | 66 | ||
Sensorimotor Unreliability | 67 | ||
Self-correction | 69 | ||
Self-contraction | 69 | ||
Holism | 71 | ||
Intention | 71 | ||
The four imaginary centres | 73 | ||
The frontal line | 74 | ||
Tensegrity | 75 | ||
Habit, learning and freedom | 76 | ||
Lessons | 77 | ||
A First Possible Lesson | 77 | ||
A Second \n(Impossible) Lesson | 86 | ||
Teaching Remarks | 91 | ||
Ends and means | 92 | ||
Manipulations | 95 | ||
Evolutions | 95 | ||
Positions of mechanical advantage | 96 | ||
Elemental movements | 97 | ||
Applications | 98 | ||
Illustrations: Writing and lifting | 98 | ||
Breathing | 100 | ||
The whispered ‘ah’ | 101 | ||
The Tarzan breath | 102 | ||
Hands on the back of a chair | 103 | ||
Alternative approaches to the organization of function | 104 | ||
Awareness Through Movement | 111 | ||
An analysis of movement | 116 | ||
Pain as misinformation | 119 | ||
Intelligence | 123 | ||
Awareness | 123 | ||
Release and differentiation | 124 | ||
Directed movement | 128 | ||
Emergent learning | 129 | ||
Integration | 130 | ||
Intelligence in Action | 133 | ||
Abbreviations | 137 | ||
Hatha Yoga | 158 | ||
A Somatic Approach | 158 | ||
Stretching | 159 | ||
Alignment and symmetry | 161 | ||
Pain as information | 163 | ||
General instructions | 164 | ||
Questions and Answers | 181 | ||
Isn’t good posture really just a matter of holding oneself properly? | 181 | ||
What makes a movement good? | 183 | ||
Is the Alexander Technique a remedy for arthritis? | 184 | ||
Will the Technique make me look better? | 186 | ||
Can elderly people benefit from these methods? | 187 | ||
Can chiropractic and massage help a bad back? | 188 | ||
What about physical exercise? | 190 | ||
My physiotherapist tells me to strengthen my abdominal muscles to stabilize my back: is that correct? | 191 | ||
Will I always have to work on myself? | 192 | ||
Can the Technique be useful in the field of healthcare? | 193 | ||
Final Words | 197 | ||
Individual Practice | 197 | ||
The bodily patterns of effort, anxiety, protection and collapse | 197 | ||
Freedom in Action | 201 | ||
References | 203 | ||
Recommended Reading | 205 | ||
Acknowledgments | 207 |