Product Description

In Running with the Whole Body, Heggie proposes a thirty-day exercise program that will not only prevent you from injuring yourself in a new way, but enable you to become a smoother, and more powerful runner. The exercises presented isolate the workings of the various parts of the body to show how each part of the body balances and works in concert with the others. The result is a body whose torso, hips, pelvis and shoulders all move freely in the act of running. You will discover how to unleash the power of the large, strong muscles of the hips, spine and shoulders to power your running.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #301957 in Books
• Published on: 1996-11-19
• Released on: 1996-11-19
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Jack Heggie earned a degree in physics and worked as a digital computer design engineer, programmer, and field engineer for ten years before becoming a Feldenkrais Practitioner. He studied with Dr. Feldenkrais in Israel and the US, and has trained with Ruthy Alon, Mia Segal, and Shlomo Efrat, all senior Feldenkrais trainers. Heggie has written about the Feldenkrais approach of learning through awareness for Skiing, NorthWest Skier, Boston SportScape, Snow Country, The Instrmentalist, Direction, and Somatics magazines. He maintains a private practice in Boulder, Colorado and Dallas, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Running with the whole body by Jack Heggie
10 months on, I just want to say I hope I didn't appear too critical of this book. I highly recommend it. It's a deserved classic, and a bargain. It really is a no-brainer... buy it! You'll be glad you did. As long as you are prepared to spend time following the program. The methods focus on subtle movements, not straining for hours in the gym.

The only 'down side' is that it focuses on technique only, not nutrition, training schedules etc. But I guess that is the focus of the book. And does an excellent job. It is presented in a no-nonsense, straightforward and quite personable style.

Heggie himself is/was a student of the methods of Moshe Feldenkrais, who appears to have been a remarkable mind is his own right.

My original comments were (and are still true)... This is an older running book. I bought it together the brilliant 'chi running' which is much more recent. I thought it was dated at first, but I gave it a chance and it was worth the time. It did help my technique, as I was training for a first marathon. I valued the contribution, but don't make this your only training manual.

Sports Medicine PH D told me I wouldn't be able to run again
A sports medicine PH D told me I wouldn't be able to run again ...but I proved him wrong!! Due to bad calcium deposits, the doctor told me that the pain would grow and grow until I wouldn't be able to run again.

I think you are supposed to go through the exercises twice but I did them only once, 20 min a day for 20-24 days.

I am no athlete but since then, I ran a Full Marathon, several Half-marathons and plenty of ten millers. That was 3 years ago, I still run between 20 - 40 miles a week. I run pain free, worst case I get a slight discomfort that I can't tell if it is from regular training for the past ailment anymore.

This book is about how to move efficiently. Maybe, I just changed the way of moving that caused the problem.

I Improved Significantly After the First Chapter
The book applies the Feldenkrais method to running in a very logical way. It begins with the big picture, and then focuses on the details. The exercises in this book are well thought out, and WILL make a difference in your running. I noticed a significant improvement after only the first chapter, and I just kept improving with each subsequent chapter. You begin by studying the relationship between the upper and lower body while walking. The shoulders should move in a direction opposite the hips. Most people, myself included, do not do this properly and it affects breathing and everything else involved in running. I spent an evening working on this, and immediately noticed a huge improvement in my running. Breathing suddenly became easier, and my stride became less jarring. Through each chapter, the improvements continued. This book is a must for every runner. It will make all the difference.