In a world where we always strive to better ourselves I am consistently reminded that the little things we do, or don't do matter. It may seem a small item where our foot is placed, or how we place our head for ringing a handbell, or how we gesture to our choirs, but it does matter.
Feldenkrais Method
The Feldenkrais Method is an approach for improving both physical and mental functioning through the exploration of body movement patterns and the use of attention. It is based on the brain's innate capacity for learning and the potential for lifelong development and growth. Movement is used as the medium toward understanding our habits and identifying, learning, and acquiring alternatives that promote ease and wellbeing. The applications of the Feldenkrais Method range from reducing pain, improving neurologically-based difficulties and learning disabilities, and increasing mobility – to enhancing performance of professional athletes, dancers, musicians, and actors.
Tips for Performers
Here are a few points on learning that you can apply to your work right now, no matter what your discipline:
1. Try three ways. When you can do something at least three different ways, then you know what you are doing. Whether it's a movement, a way of holding the instrument or a vocal approach try varying how you do it. It may seem silly to sing a passage badly on purpose, or play your violin with your chin resting in a different angle, but when you go back to your standard way, you'll see something has changed.
2. Slow down. Practice your lines or your action in slow motion studying yourself. What do your eyes do? Where is the tension in your back? What is happening with your feet? Then go to regular speed and see how it feels.
3. Visualize. Close your eyes and see yourself playing effortlessly. Imagine every movement of the body, the arms, legs, head. See it in your mind's eye in as much detail as possible then actually do the movement.
4. Realize your intention. When learning, learn. When practicing, practice. When performing, perform. Mixing learning, practicing and performing leads to confusion.
Using the Feldenkrais Method to Heighten Musical Awareness and Skill
Here is an Awareness Through Movement lesson [Handbell Version]
Stand comfortably, arms at side. Feel your feet firmly on the ground and begin to sense the central “line” of your spine, as well as the lines of your arms and legs. Sense yourself almost as a stick figure composed of the line of your spine ascending from the floor, and the four lines of your legs and arms extending out. Now pick up your handbell and feel the relationship of the instrument to this image you have of the five connected lines of your spine, arms, and legs.
Imagine the bell coming to you. Do not let your body position change to pick up the bell. The bell is just added to your comfortable and upright position. [Do not lean in to grab the bell.]
Begin with long, slow ringing motions. As you move feel the and be aware of your body in motion. Feel the weight being supported by your legs and down to your feet. Breathe in and out. Move your head to follow the motion of the bell. Do this several times, keeping a sense of the five lines of your spine, legs, and arms, and shifting your attention from your feet to your knees, your spine, shoulder blades, neck, head, eyes, and breath. Now start to play with initiating the movement from each of the different places mentioned above. Begin the movement in your feet, for example, or start it with your breath. Let the impulse for beginning to move shift from one place within you to another, and listen to the changes in the quality and character of the sound.
It may seem that hand dexterity and leg and arm position are unrelated. However, the way you sit/stand, position your feet and carry your head on top of your spine will affect the freedom and mobility of your fingers and arms. Having a neutral, comfortable posture while sitting/standing will also increase your expressive capabilities while playing and performing. This lesson demonstrates one of the unique aspects of the Feldenkrais Method: that increasing and refining the awareness in one area of yourself will also have an effect elsewhere in your body.
