This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Performing Musicians and Exercise, is published in a PDF format. It shows the performing musician how to exercise without causing wear and tear to the body or compromise the quality of their performing technique.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT STRIVING TO BE THE BEST (MAYBE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE) YOU CAN BE AT A SPORT OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, FROM THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE PERSPECTIVE.
I want to digress here.
At one point in my life I strove mercilessly to became a concert guitarist. I just recently realized why it was never going to happen, even though I found an amazing Alexander Technique teacher, and I discovered how to play as effortlessly and accurately as a prodigy.
I could recognize when someone or myself was playing musically and in tune, but I could never quite understand why music theory and ear training eluded me. It is so obvious now. I COULD NOT REMEMBER THE INTERVALS BETWEEN NOTES! If I had recognized this, then I would have realized I was missing a critical element necessary to become a great musical performer/interpreter. (I have always recognized great music making in others.)
You can save yourself a whole lot of grief, if you very quickly realize you’re truly missing something that won’t let you be exceptional at your sport or instrument, and move on, or do what you do without pursuing it as a career.
But, let’s assume you have ALL of the raw materials to be a great musician or athlete, mind and body.
How do you go about being the best?
YOU DETERMINE WHAT YOU NEED TO MASTER, ALL OF THE ELEMENTS, AND YOU MASTER THEM ALL!
When I look at the previous sentence, it sounds driven and focused and self-sacrificing, AND IT CAN BE.
HOW CAN YOU BE THE BEST AND NOT SACRIFICE YOUR BODY AND MIND?
USE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE!
First, start with the premise that you will do whatever it takes to be the best, but with one caveat.
DO NO HARM TO YOUR MIND AND BODY, AS YOU MASTER YOUR SPORT OR INSTRUMENT!
Again.
DO NO HARM TO YOUR MIND AND BODY, AS YOU MASTER YOUR SPORT OR INSTRUMENT!
How do you do this?
Assume your goal to be an incredible musical performer or athlete is 100% decided upon and COMMITTED to, then let this commitment be the ends and not the means to your goal.
What do I mean?
YOU TAKE THE STEPS TO MASTER ALL OF THE ELEMENTS OF YOUR SPORT OR INSTRUMENT, SO THAT YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT OR GOLF WITH EXTRAORDINARY EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY AND WITHOUT TENSION, WHICH MEANS WITHOUT WEAR AND TEAR TO YOUR BODY AND MIND.
If you do the above trusting yourself, then the Alexander Technique principles of posture and great body use taught in creating a great technique, will not allow you to wear out your body.
This means mentally you are mastering the activity, by taking care of memorizing and establishing with nondestructive physical habits your technique. This is by definition a self-loving mastery of the instrument or sport.
So, what is it that makes the Alexander Technique so unique at self preservation?
WE TEACH THE CLIENT TO DO WHAT THEY DO FOCUSING ON GREAT POSTURE AND A GREAT TECHNIQUE, BY DOING WHAT THEY DO WITHOUT EXCESS MUSCLE TENSION AND JOINT COMPRESSION AND POOR POSTURE.
We teach the client to do less and less work to play difficult musical passages or do a sport, by doing the least amount of physical work. We teach the client the goal of winning or making beautiful music can be a guaranteed given end result.
In other words, great golf or running or making music longevity is the result of a freer and balanced technique, not of striving by being merciless to yourself or body.
So, buy one of my ebooks on this website, and get into the details of being a great athlete or musical performer, and email me with any questions.
