Relax Your Neck, Liberate Your Shoulders: The Ultimate Exercise Program for Tension Relief

I recommend reading the book first, then reread taking the time to do each exercise. The visualizations and the drawings enhance each other with the exercise. Overall, I have found these exercises more helpful than Feldenkrais ATM. This is a perfect book for anyone who needs to do less without efforting. The exercises are very effective and the discussion of anatomy is not that difficult. Eric Franklin lists Mabel Todd's: The Thinking Body as a reference. It, too, is full of body mechanics, although it may not be for everyone.

Some of the information seems a bit far fetched but when I started doing the exercises it really helps with neck and shoulder tightness and pain.

Eric Franklin, a dancer and choreographer, has been teaching imaging techniques for years to dancers and others. Imaging is basically using visualization to relax the body. Sounds hokey? It isn't - it truly works! I bought this book as I was having chronic shoulder tension and felt I wanted to try something new. The imaging techniques presented are simple - and you can do them any time, anywhere - with your mind being the only equipment needed! Franklin goes into detail about how your shoulders and neck work - and has many different ways to aid your tension. Although visualization can be difficult for some people, his exercises make it simple and you are bound to find a few gems here to assist you in releasing your upper body stress. There are pictures throughout - not the greatest artwork, but they convey what you are working on clearly enough. I found the language to be precise and easy to grasp. After using this book for a few weeks, I have been having less stress in my shoulder and am feeling much freer. I use a few of the techniques with my yoga students as well.

This book is entertaining, informative, intellegent, helpful, challenging and instructive on how to reduce tension and increase relaxation. Eric Franklin uses his words and pictures to easily teach us how to reduce neck and shoulder pain within a few minutes and sometimes just by using our imagination. You don't have to go to a gym to do his exercises; all you need is the time and enough space to sit, stand or lie down. This book is truly one that you will want to refer to on a regular basis to continue your journey of relaxation in your daily life.