This is a clear, easy-to-read introduction to the body-mind theory behind Hanna's "Somatics" system, and how the system works in practice. The anecdotes he tells are engaging, and I especially liked his insistence that the process is a collaboration: the practitioner isn't a "healer" so much as a teacher, and healing takes place because the sufferer re-learns how to use the forgotten parts of his/her body. I also found his explanation of the "soma" concept very enlightening: too many thinkers (even those of the "New Age" persuasion) promote the view that we are spirits trapped in bodies and that we should hence adopt a "mind over matter" philosophy. Hanna, by contrast, insists that the two are interdependent and that what happens to one affects the other -- in both directions. He points out that this idea is reflected in Zen Buddhism, yoga, and other Eastern philosophies. (Western thinkers have tended to misunderstand it, possibly because of the mind-vs-body dichotomy in Christian thought, but Hanna clarifies the matter nicely.) I also found his explanation of the Feldenkrais system and its relationship to other methods of bodywork (such as Alexander) very useful. Although some of the research he cites is a little outdated now, nothing he says is (to my knowledge) contradicted by recent studies. Despite its age, this is still a very useful book for anyone interested in the mind-body relationship.

This book is indeed a masterpiece and it is great for someone who is studying to be an engineer or is interested in architecture. It is fantastic and has everything from the Lovely Louvre to the palace at Petra, from the Great Golden Gate to the construction of the Chrysler. It shows fine examples of art deco, modern, classical, Greek, Muslim etc. architectural wonders. It not only explains and shows the construction of these great buildings, but for certain buildings it also shows their plan, it's legends, along with information about who built it, why did they build it, whom did it build it for, when was it built, and where it is. It also has sections showing the greatest styles of architecture ever used along with a series of historic sites in the world. All in all this is a fantastic and very useful guide to the masterpieces of Architecture and Engineering.

-------------------------AHMED MASHHOOD--------------------------

In this book Hanna provides a clear explanation of why the brain becomes conditioned to maintain unnecessary muscle tension, why that creates pain and limits movement, and most importantly, how to re-educate the brain to release that unnecessary tension, restore free movement, and eliminate pain. The exercises depicted in this book have given me my life back, freeing me from back pain I had for 15 years following a car accident. I highly recommend the book, and also recommend finding a Somatics practitioner to work with directly.

I am a massage therapist and use elements of Hanna's work daily.
Most people don't understand that their posture and how they use their body comes from how they have unwittingly programmed their
bodies. Their bodies are on "auto-pilot". Hanna makes this clear to the reader and then discusses how the reader can re-awaken their brain circuits and change their body programming, releasing
muscular tension, using the exercises in the back of the book. Granted that the wooden figures showing the exercises can be difficult to discern, it is worth your patience to work it out.
Your body will thank you. I have adapted many of the movements to my table work sessions and always assign one or two movements as homework. You can do much on your own. I have given away many copies of this book to clients who showed great interst in Hanna's work and in taking care of themselves.

This is the first set of excercises for my back that has ever had any effect at all. My back began feeling better within a matter of days, and has just gotten better and better. If you've had back trouble that you can't get rid of, try this.

We took this book on our first driving trip through Provence, and jettisoned it before the second. While it does contain considerable information, the condescending attitude toward the French is, at best, dispiriting, and, at worst, leads you away from wonderful adventures. In no way does this book encourage the traveler to embrace the uniqueness of French culture and country life. We felt misled by the pretentious put-downs of villages, museums, cafes, restaurants and monuments that we found welcoming, enlightening, warm and delightful. If we had believed that some places were as dreary as the authors painted them, we would have missed our best experiences with hospitable people in beautiful settings.

You're better armed with Michelin maps, Cadogan guides and the host of free maps and brochures available at the well-run and helpful Bureau de Tourisme offices located in almost every village, where kindly hosts and hostesses can help you in English if you're not fluent in French. You can also rely on the helpfulness and good advice of people you meet in Provence. Bon voyage!

I took this book with me on my recent trip to Provence. If your intention is really to drive everyday, and spend each night in a new location, then this book would be valuable. But if you are planning a more leisurely visit, then the Cadogan guides are a lot more fun and more useful, especially regarding cultural information.