Posts Tagged ‘ proprioception ’

Body as Instrument- Part II: How to make music with your whole Self.

Body as Instrument- Part II: How to make music with your whole Self.

Body as Instrument: Part II – Self as Instrument (Photo credit: Ephemeral Light) I like to think of being fully present in your body as a verb; “Selfing”. Practicing your Self means that you “actively” remain completely present in yourself while doing any task. This eventually becomes a full time event, a sort of background software which runs throughout your day. Practicing how to Use YourSelf well is the key which reveals what is already there, your natural and complete Self. You may rightly inquire, “Aren’t we born with a healthy Self intact?” Yes in…

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Body as Instrument- Part I: Why is it important?

Body as Instrument- Part I: Why is it important?

What really makes music? Your musical instrument of choice is basically a piece of wood or metal; a mere extension of your real instrument: your body. In this first part or two I’ll outline issues which arise from the misconception of your body as a “thing”, rather than your real “instrument”. “Yes, yes” you may be thinking, “Okay, so my instrument is my body. What then?” Few of us “practice our bodies”, at least not consciously. We practice music, technique, our instruments, like everyone else. However innocent this thinking it creates problems in the long…

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Second Part of series on Flow Breathing and a Path to Peak Mastery is up at Marion Harrington’s blog.

Second Part of series on Flow Breathing and a Path to Peak Mastery is up at Marion Harrington’s blog.

Hello- Please go over to my friend Marion Harrington’s blog to see the second post in my guest post series on Flow Breathing and a Path to Peak Mastery. This part details the Alexander Technique, a tool for developing self-awareness. Several easy steps allow you to start becoming more aware, as you play, or walk, or talk. Though the Alexander Technique is best learned through private lessons, I believe that a new breathing awareness technique which I call Flow Breathing, will enable you to monitor the quality of your self-awareness through your breath. Next week’s…

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In defense of just lying around

In defense of just lying around

I needed a little self-healing today. As I lay on my back, I found my breath and rolled very very slowly to one side, then the other. Image Credit A video of me might show someone being quite lazy, just lying around on the floor for an hour, sighing and breathing! During that apparently unproductive time, I gained a recharging of my whole being, mind and body. I also better acquainted myself with my greatest tool, my body, its motions, curves, and strengths, coordination. That time was spent charting that “tool” and finding its fluidity…

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Daily Practice of Conscious Rest

Daily Practice of Conscious Rest

For performers of any instrument, a daily practice of a conscious resting position such as Shivasana (Corpse Pose from Yoga) or Constructive Rest (Alexander Technique) encourages a vital awareness of the whole self. Such a practice supports healthy use of the self while practicing your instrument. I recommend a 3-5 minute lie-down just before practicing each day for a week. (You can do longer, but if you are impatient like me, a 3 minute true rest is better than a 10 minute impatient one!) You can lie on a carpet or other padded surface, preferably…

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