This week I was at the Royal Academy of Music teaching a workshop on Reducing Stage Anxiety to the undergraduates in the Performance department.
I threw them in at the deep end, and asked them to perform, in order that they could observe in each other what each did physically in manifesting nervousness on stage. And at the end we revisited the idea to see the difference.
They talked about each other breathing more shallowly, not seeming centred, closed off body language, and lack of eye contact.
Observation hones your awareness
Observing in each other helped them discover some of their own habits around anxiety- it acted as a lead in to applying ideas to themselves.
It’s something we can do for walking as well. See if you can notice other people’s habits around walking. Sometimes you might notice how they lead their walking – that they lead from different parts of themselves. Young men often lead from their shoulders or chest. Sometimes you’ll notice people walking from their chins or noses – it literally goes first. Play with it to see how it feels. Wear someone else’s habit for a few moments.
You might notice that someone walking stiffens one joint in their leg. Or circles the leg around rather than bringing a knee straight forwards. Whatever it is that you notice. See if you can copy it.
It might be what doesn’t move
Lots of people don’t move much of their ribcage when walking, which makes everything around mobility more challenging,
And see if there’s any familiarity. Do you do this too in some small way? Is it helpful?
We’ll be continuing the theme of easy walking this month,
Would you like to work with me? Contact me for a free short discovery consultation. Send me an email, or phone (07939277189). If I can’t pick up, leave me a message with some times to reach you.
the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter 