Michael J. Gelb

Review
'The approach to learning and the techniques outlined in Body Learning transformed my life. Read and practice, and Michael Gelb's profound message will transform yours. '-Tony Buzan, author of The Mind Map Book

About the Author
Michael Gelb is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. he is the director of the High Performance Learning Center in Washington, DC, and international leadership consultancy to business and professional groups worldwide. he is also the author of Lessons from the Art of Juggling and Thinking for a Change.

The Alexander technique is the most revolutionary and far-reaching method yet developed for maintaining the health and efficiencey of the body. Essentally a type of therapy that aims to treat, and prevent, a range of disorders through a syystem of postural changes, the Technique stresses ethe importance of reeducating the msucular system as a means to achieve physical and mental well-being. By changing, or unlearning, common bad postural habits and ways of using the body, people can alleviate tension, fatigue, bad backs, stiff necks, asthma, headaches, depression, and many other ailments. This book offers the first fully illustrated contemporary introduction to a method whose importance is increasingly recognized by the medical profession and the general public alike. The author examines the basic principles governing the Techniqe and shows how it can be aplied to every kind of learning experience, from children's education and the acquiring of basic skills to the most advanced needs of professionals, athletes, and entertainers.

'This book is to be welcomed...Mr. Gelb seems to me uniquely qualified to speak with authority.'-Professor Nikolaas Tinbergen, 1973 Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology

'The approach to learning and the techniques outilined in Body Learning transformed my life. Read and practice, and Michael Gelb's profound message will transform yours.'-Tony Buzan, author of Use Both Sides of Your Brain

'Several previous books on the sophisticated Alexander Technique have attempted to convey the complex mental and physical dynamics required of its devotees, but none has been as lucid as this one.'-Publishers Weekly

Michael Gelb is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique and maintains a successful private practice in Washington, D.C. He is also Founder/director of High Performance Learning, an international management consultancy organization which sponsors seminars on the Technique for businesses, school systems, and professional groups throughout the world.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I Alexander: The man and his discovery...
Part II The operational ideas
Use and functioning
The whole person
Primary conrol
Unreliable sensory appreciation
Inhibition
Direction
Ends and means
Part III Learning how to learn
Utilizing potential
Education for use
What can I do myself?
Notes
Books and articles on the Alexander Technique
Source of illustrations… (more)

With the wealth of information and principles for action presented by Michael Gelb in this book one wonders where to start? It provides an "inspirational" approach to improving your mind and your life. I have always been fascinated by fictional superheroes and I also enjoy reading about the lives of geniuses of the past in all fields of endeavor. This book uses a close study of the life and achievements of Leonardo da Vinci to identify principles that each of us can apply in our life to improve and reach a level of genius beyond that we might have thought possible.
The book is divided into three parts: Part One includes a concise biography and list of Leonardo's accomplishments; while Part Two focuses on the "Seven Da Vincian Principles" that include curiosity, a focus on the senses, use of ambiguity and development of whole-brain thinking. While the principles are not unique to Leonardo, this presentation is particularly effective and helpful. Part Three discusses the art of drawing and perspective which is at the heart of Leonardo's art. The inclusion of a chronology of Leonardo's life, which spanned the last half of the fifteenth century into the first decades of the sixteenth, and a topical bibliography of recommended reading increases the value of this truly inspirational book. (less)
FRIEND REVIEWS (1)… (more)

Gelb's work definitely contains some valuable "self-help" nuggets that can be applied to general problem-solving. One such nugget involves Edison's use of mind-maps that help individuals physically "chart" strategies for tackling problems. The book focuses on how "failure" is often critical to future success and how optimism can shape results. It also explores some of Edison's well-known mantras (example: make everything as simple as possible -- but no any simpler). In all candor, some of the book was a bit dry and seemed unnecessarily redundant in a few spots -- and I'm a big fan of business books. But overall, I'm glad I took the time to read it.… (more)