John Franchi has worked as a saxophone, flute and clarinet player for over forty years, touring with the Big Bands of the ‘60s and ‘70s, recording and travelling extensively with most of the major English and American stars and playing in most of the major London musicals. This has entailed long periods of sitting, either in planes, trains, cars or orchestra and studio chairs, none of them terribly comfortable after a half-hour or so.

"I started to develop a lot of stiffness, and as my body was supple enough in the earlier years, it was some time before I thought about doing anything about it. Later, however, the discomfort stayed for longer periods, and I realised that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life attending osteopaths’ or chiropractors’ surgeries."

When he turned professional, John started touring in earnest, and in order to alleviate the inevitable stiffness that the long journeys entailed, devised a number of exercises which not only relieved the aches and pains, but positively stimulated certain groups of muscles. Arriving at his destinations, John was now fresh enough to be able to perform to his utmost ability.

John began teaching these exercises to some of his colleagues and pupils, and a number of them urged him to publish his findings. In response to these requests, the exercises are now in one small book – SIT YOURSELF FIT! – John hopes that they will be of as much use to my fellow travellers as they have been to him.

These days, everyone spends an increasing number of hours sitting about either travelling or at home and work, and the exercises are devised to be used exactly at these times. They will be useful to all executives, office workers, holidaymakers and of course musicians. In fact anyone who sits for longer than a couple of hours a day can use them with the utmost benefit. With the danger of Deep Vein Thrombosis becoming more of a risk with long-haul air passengers, this little book could save your life!

Apart from the beneficial aspect of the exercises, what seems to attract most people is that the exercises can be carried out with the minimum of noticeable movement, therefore not drawing attention to oneself.