Indeed treats all aspects of relaxation

I originally found out about this book in a Listmania that I liked, so I went ahead and bought it.
Well... I can say that the title is well chosen. The book presents diverse aspects of relaxation (probably all of them), and an integrated and balanced - even relaxing :) - approach to relaxation, with many techniques both modern and ancient, both Eastern and Western.
Moreover, it comes with a CD with 4 guided relaxation sessions - 4 techniques out of the dozen(s) in the book. The voice on the CD is relaxing, the background music is well chosen, and it is just fine. The only complaint I have is that some sessions are too basic for me, but I had been practicing relaxation before and I don't need that much guidance and the breathing in that session is too fast for my taste - I trained to breathe slower than that and thus be more relaxed, but yes, I can see there are many many beginners who need EXACTLY that type of instruction.
Harvey shows that tension manifests on 5 interconnected levels: muscular, autonomic system, emotional, mental and spiritual, and tension in one level affects the others. The levels are hierarchical, and the deepest relaxation is at the top level, but on the other hand it is harder to reach there, at least in the beginning, so people usually need to relax the lower levels first and work their way up to the top. To quote him, learning to relax properly is a lifelong activity, and should be the priority of everyone.
The book has an opening chapter (talking about tension in general, benefits of relaxing and the levels) and an ending chapter (with advices on how to pick techniques and integrate relaxation in daily life).
What's between opening and ending is a set of ten chapters dedicated to the five levels of relaxation - two chapters per level: one presents the effects of tension and relaxation on that level, the other is filled with relaxation techniques applying to that level. Where appropriate, he provides both direct (relaxing directly at that level) and indirect methods of relaxing (doing something that somehow relaxes at that level). For example, at the muscular level an indirect technique is exercising, which, although is tensing in nature, leads to a muscular relaxation deeper than before doing it. A direct technique at mental level is meditation, or at spiritual level is prayer. There is everything for everyone.
When I read the book I liked it. Then I started practicing and of course settled on a technique or two, planning to move to another once I'm proficient with them. Well, after a few weeks I thought that the book was simplistic. Anyway, I read it again, finished it half an hour ago, I already forgot a lot of its content. - I came back to the previous feeling - that this is a great book with clear explanations, comprehensive (covers all levels) and techniques. It covers all the levels, but of course not all the techniques for each level - that would be impossible and not useful anyway - one technique done well is enough.
I achieved some benefits with the techniques I adopted (more clarity, less sleep), and the best has yet to come. After all, this is a lifelong "hobby".
So, if you want to learn to be more relaxed and are actually willing to do something about for 21 consecutive days (it takes that long to make a long-term habit), then pick up this book!

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Total Relaxation: Healing Prctices for Body, Mind &

The service for this product was excellent. But not, I'm afraid, for the most recent product ordered: High Times, Hard Times. I paid $9 for two day delivery and a month later I still don't have the book. I called and got the delivery charge reduced because of the delay. The book in question is obviously hard to get and I understand that, but I should have been called and given this courtesy without having to track it down myself.

Daryl Warner

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One of the best books about relaxation

"Total Relaxation" by John R. Harvey, PhD, is one of the most comprehensive yet concise books on the subject of tension and relaxation. Harvey takes the reader on a journey through every system of the body in which tension can occur. He goes into great detail about the possible causes of tension in each system, and helps the readers assess for themselves where and why their own tension resides. Most importantly, Harvey provides detailed instructions for how to release that tension.

The layout of the book is brilliant. Each system of the body -- or "level" of tension, as Harvey describes it -- has its own chapter, and the following chapter contains the relaxation techniques associated with that system, or "level." This format makes the book highly accessible for a variety of readers. A reader who is interested in learning about all the possible causes and places of tension can read the book from start to finish, gain a wealth of knowledge about how the body works with regard to producing tension, and learn how to achieve the deepest states of relaxation. Conversely, someone who already knows where his or her tension lies can go directly to the chapter containing techniques that apply to that type of tension and learn to start relaxing immediately.

The book comes with an audio CD containing four guided relaxation techniques that are also described within the text. This added bonus definitely makes the book worth the purchase. The step-by-step instructions on the CD, with relaxing music in the background, teach the techniques beautifully and effectively. They are easy to follow and a joy to practice.

There are so many books about relaxation available now. If you are looking for one book that will serve as a complete reference guide as well as an instruction manual, John Harvey's "Total Relaxation" is that book.

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