Testimonials

Since so many people seem to rely on testimonials, I thought I'd better add a few words of warning.

Suppose the quality of my teaching of the Alexander Technique were so poor that I only got results 1% of the time, I would still be able to boast of those results — with testimonials to prove it.

Suppose the Alexander Technique really didn't work, but by chance or by suggestion it still helped a few people, I would still be able to produce testimonials from those people.

If I were a good showman, practised at pulling the wool over people's eyes, I would be able to make those testimonials sound very convincing, even though what I was touting was completely worthless. Such people do exist and their snake oil is often very successful.

Bearing all this in mind, it is still often useful to see concrete evidence of other people's experience. To help with this, I have made a video in which four of my pupils recount their experiences. You can find it here.

I'm also starting to collect some written testimonials here

Even very convincing testimonials are no guide to the value of anything.

True, but how else can I judge?

Here's what I recommend:–

1. Be very suspicious of testimonials. Their intention is to convince: you need to discover the truth. The two are not always compatible.
2. Be wary of what “Everyone Knows”, “Science Shows”, or “Mr Big Authority Says”. These may or may not turn out to be true. Much of what was taken as gospel in the past is now totally discredited. What most people reject today may well be accepted as obviously true tomorrow. Either way, the present orthodoxy is not “ex cathedra”: There is no guarantee of its infallibility.
3. Be wary of your own gut reactions too. At one level, I'm a great believer in gut reactions, but who knows what emotional attachments may be confusing our instincts? We ourselves are usually unaware of emotional distortions in our judgement: distortions that are often completely obvious to our friends and family.
4. Carefully examine the proposed system. Does it fit together? Does it make sense when examined on its own terms? Or, does it paper over the cracks with promises and testimonials?
5. Examine the character of the practitioner. Is he or she really bending over backwards to be fair and balanced and to answer all your questions — or does it seem like you are being hustled into a quick decision? Do they seem to be more interested in helping you or in their own reputation?
6. Now. Take the time to be still. First, be quiet in yourself and then listen to the prompting of your own heart: “Be still and know that I am God”. [Note]
7. Follow it's promptings. (You may still be mistaken, of course, but I believe you stand a better chance this way than any other).
8. Continue to test, test and test again. If your heart — not your worries, hopes or fears — if your heart is still leading you forwards, stick with it. If not, don't.

That's my two cents' worth.

Now where do you want to go? Some suggestions:–

• The Alexander Technique exists to solve a very particular problem. Though you cannot afford to ignore this problem, very few people even know about it. Why? Find out.
• Learn more about debauched kinaesthesia. (Very important)
• Investigate how the Alexander Technique works.
• Why don't the experts really understand breathing? Even the most brilliant minds are confused by their own debauched kinaesthesia. Here, you can find out how it's meant to work.
• The same goes for posture. Most postural correction programmes are a well-meaning mess.
• Read Arthritis, Asthma and the other dis-ease pages.

You need to try it.
Find an Alexander teacher and book your first lesson now.

If you live in the UK, start here.
Otherwise, start here.

Come back soon and read some more.

Note

Psalm 46 v.10. Martin Israel suggests a better translation: “Let be then; learn that I am God”.

If you want to learn how, then read Martin's book — “Doubt: The Way of Growth,” by Martin Israel (1997)

Martin is a counsellor and friend who has for many years steadfastly supported and inspired both myself and my wife.
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