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| Actor: Alexander Technique
Studio: Wellspring Media
Buy Used: $79.95
Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 15579
Format: Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 75 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 3.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 158350060X
UPC: 790658987807
EAN: 9781583500606
ASIN: B00004REQ1
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: March 21, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Tape tested and plays fine. Light edge wear to slip case.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 17
 Subtle, and especially helpful if you've already had lessons December 8, 2004
Fred (CA USA)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
I watched the Kosminsky portion of the DVD before my first lessons with a live teacher. Although I found that the DVD provides some helpful introductory material, I was also confused by some of Kosminsky's instructions. For example, to let the shoulders "float" over the ribcage, as she instructed, I wasn't quite sure what to do. However, I re-watched the DVD after a few lessons with a live teacher (whom I selected after trying two different teachers) and found that the DVD instructions made much more sense and provided some helpful reinforcement. In fact, I was a bit sorry I had seen the DVD before attending the first live lesson, as I went into that live lesson with an expectation that might have made the teacher's job and mine a bit more difficult, especially as the work is very subtle. My suggestion, therefore, is that you may find this DVD most helpful AFTER you have taken at least a few lessons, or perhaps as a resource if you do not have access to a qualified teacher. At the end of their portion of the DVD, both Kosminsky and Hurt stress the importance of seeing a live teacher and, even with my own limited experience, the importance of this is clear to me as well.
Update: More than two years after my review above, and after a number of additional lessons, I have come to believe even more strongly that it is critically important to see a live teacher if you can possibly do so. If you attempt to learn the technique from the DVD first and then find a good teacher later, I think you will be surprised (as I was) at how even your first experience with the teacher differs from what you learned (or thought you learned) via the DVD. I suggest you consider the DVD as purely optional or supplemental material, relying on it primarily as a way of reinforcing or reviewing what you learn via a live teacher. In this respect, take a look also at some of the available Alexander books. (Ask your teacher for recommendations.)
 Free Movement May 15, 2001
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
This video is a terrific introduction to the Alexander Technique. I found it helped me understand my body's anatomy in a way that I never had before, and the manner in which they show you how to move and think about how you are moving was a real revelation for me. The Technique has improved my once rounded-shoulder posture enormously, and I find I have much less trouble with back pain. Since I bought the video I have had some private Alexander Technique instruction, but I find that I still refer back to the video as a sort-of "refresher course"--in particular the self lesson demonstrated, which is very useful.
Fun Subtle Technique October 13, 2004
deb (Canada)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
I enjoyed watching a non-technical, straight-forward approach that I was able to apply the day after I watched it. Jane Kosminsky & William Hurt have shown what a one-to-one session could be like. How personal it can be even with people who are being very professional, authentic and somewhat playful while being conscious of communicating the method clearly in front of a camera.
Last night, after just watching it, without following along, I was able and eager to apply it today while walking, lifting and bending. The principles of movement ( and pausing to choose ) seem congruent to other subtle, though quite different methods of 'movement with awareness' methods I've tried, such as Feldenkrais, Yoga, Qi Gong & Tai Chi. Perhaps this is why I was able to begin to apply it right away. I have done some reading about the movement and have been wanting to try it for many years. Even another video and a how-to book that illustrates basic steps to take, didn't seem as clear or inspire me to begin trying it out the way this recording did.
Whether it was power of suggestion, or just what applying the technique creates, but I did feel lighter while walking today - when I was focusing on it. It gave me a sense of what I might be able to feel like, more often, as it becomes a habit. And it was fun!
I'll be attending a demonstration workshop and believe this video has improved my understanding and appreciation of the technique that will help me get the most out of it. However I decide to learn it - lessons, on my own, or some combination, I have a practical & valuable tool that will enhance it.
The guided awareness session at the end was too slow to just watch, but I imagine it will be helpful to feel like the teacher's there when I want to practice my self-awareness, but just can't seem to motivate myself to do this slow work on my own.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it didn't 'knock my socks off' like a film that I'm hoping to get on DVD, called "Rivers & Tides". It's an amazingly done ( both music and cinematography ) documentary-type film about the artwork by a remarkable artist named Andy Goldsworthy, that's more like a story with a very Zen-like feel. Since it's currently my favorite film, the 4-star rating I gave the Alexander video is definitely not due to any criticism, simply an unfair comparison to a completely different genre.
 pretty bad August 31, 2005
L. Ellis (NYC)
10 out of 33 found this review helpful
A lot of talking, not much doing. The teacher is annoying!! PLease save your money, all the other reviews must have been written by her!
Overview of Alexander Technique principles March 14, 2007
Food Fan (New York)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I am new to the Alexander Technique, and was curious to learn more about it...
This DVD is primarily LECTURE (like a talk show demo).
but there are a few segments that involve demo/doing.
The instructor Jane talks very very sloooow(boring), but I overcame this problem by running my DVD in fast forward 1.4x speed which made her speech more normal paced.
The DVD divided into chapters that you can select. Here's a summary of the lessons I learned:
INTRO:
Can't talk when tighten up neck and push head back.
Can't breathe when stick ribs out
FREE THE NECK:
Free the neck - Loosen neck, tilt head forward & up, and let spine rise
Observation --Think about our anatomy & movements
Ex: Think of dangling hand/arm as an arrow...
Inhibition - choosing not to respond habitually
Direction 4 concepts of good use:
To let the head be free, to let the head be forward and up from the spine
To allow the torso to lengthen and fan into it
To allow the legs to release away from the hip joints
To allow the shoulders to release out to the side and float on the rib cage
Makes you feel very light and boyant
CHAIRWORK:
Awareness of body's movement. Use mirrors.
Feel neck & back while getting in & out of chair. (e.g. don't thrust head forward or arch back)
(Allow shoulders to release out to the side and float the rib cage.)
Organization of movement and balancing point
MONKEY:
Free neck, bend knees, point head up while pivot at hip joints.
(Saves the back by using the joints)
WALKING:
Allow head/neck to be free and to move up, and allow torso & hip to come up with it. Let arms dangle and swing (spine twists).
No no's while walking: Shifting to side and down, tigthening neck, hunching shoulders, push into lower back
SELF LESSON:
Lying down lesson based on table work.
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