One of my students, who has found the Alexander Technique of great benefit in dealing with sciatica, recommends this book by Vidyamala Burch (Piatkus).  

Working with an athlete this morning, I found myself recalling the Alexander-ish words of coach Sam Mussabini  in the 1981 film 'Chariots of Fire'.  Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) has just been beaten by his Scots rival, Eric Liddle.  He despairs of being able to run any faster. But Mussabini (played by Ian Holm) says he can give him 'two more strides'.  He tells Abrahams to change three things: 

1. Stop over-striding
2. Tread lightly
3. Stop pulling his head back as he nears the finish line.

I'm not sure if these lines have been retained in the stage adaptation, currently at London's Gielgud Theatre...

The Alexander Technique exercise of lying down in semi-supine (ie with your head on some books and your knees bent) was one of the five top exercises for better posture in The Guardian last weekend - click here.  (This photo is of me lying down in semi-supine on the beautiful island of Arran in 2013).

Alexandrian words from American opera star Joyce DiDonato, interviewed by Martin Dickson in the Financial Times today: 'She has spoken in the past about how difficult it is to be completely in control of a voice...she makes a comparison with top athletes, who, paradoxically, can underperform by trying to exercise too much control. "You need to be in command of your technique and your body but, at the same time, you have to let it go, so that the breath is free, so that the expression is in the moment - but you can only do that if you have prepared it in the best way."'  - Lunch with the FT, 1 February 2014