Books and DVDs Relating to Ergonomics and the Alexander Technique:
Nowhere is the interplay of ergonomic and Alexander Technique concepts better illustrated than in the design of the chair, and the ways in which we use them. The Chair: Rethinking Culture, Body and Design provides a wonderfully fresh look at an object so common in our society that most of us pay little or no attention to it. Galen Cranz, a professor of architecture at the University of California Berkeley and a teacher of the Alexander Technique, has written what is probably the definitive work on this topic. Ergonomists, Alexander Technique teachers – and everybody else who sits on chairs – can learn a great deal from this very readable book.
The Chair: Rethinking Culture, Body, and Design
by Galen Cranz
Paperback/Published 1999
History, anatomy and ergonomics of chair design explored by an Alexander Technique teacher with an emphasis on the importance of an easy upright posture when sitting. Click here to listen to an interview with the author.
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One of the most common work-related hazards today is backpain. The videos and books listed below have been produced and written by physical therapists who have also trained to become teachers of the Alexander Technique. As such, they provide a unique perspective on the topic and make excellent resources for anyone suffering from backpain – and for anyone who wants to avoid suffering from backpain!
Solutions for Back Trouble shows how the Alexander Technique/physical therapy approach leads to some elegant ergonomic solutions. Several specific situations are examined in detail: sitting, lying down, eating, brushing your teeth etc.
The videos and one of the books listed below were produced and written by Deborah Caplan, PT. You can read two short articles by her online: The Alexander Technique – Education for the Aching Back and The Alexander Technique: Another Tool for Physical Therapists.
The Alexander Technique – Solutions for Back Trouble
DVD by Deborah Caplan, PT, 1999
Shows how the Alexander Technique can help people with back problems. (Deborah Caplan’s book on this topic is described below.)
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The Alexander Technique: Combo Pack
This package includes two DVDs:
The Alexander Technique: First Lesson and
The Alexander Technique – Solutions for Back Trouble
(see listing above)
The price for the Combo Pack is a little less than the cost of the two DVDs purchased separately.
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Back Trouble – A new approach to prevention and recovery based on the Alexander Technique
by Deborah Caplan, PT
Paperback/Published 1987
Describes how the Alexander Technique can help people with back problems. Includes preventative positions and gentle exercises. (Deborah Caplan’s video on this topic is listed above.)
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Back Pain Solutions: How to Help Yourself with Posture-Movement Therapy and Education
by Bruce I. Kodish, PT
Paperback/Published 2001
Survey and self-care guide for dealing with back pain and other musculo- skeletal problems. Explains the Alexander Technique within the broader context of posture-movement therapy and education.
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The ordering information above comes from The Alexander Technique Bookstore (USA, the UK, and Canada) in Association with AMAZON.COM, AMAZON.CO.UK and AMAZON.CA – an on-line source for many other books, DVDs, audio books and CDs about the Alexander Technique.
Click here to visit The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique.