Category: reducing-anxiety

What’s different for you when you’re on stage, compared to in the practice room?

October 31, 2025

One thing that often changes is the breathing. I was performing a concert this evening. The sensation of playing on stage was very different from the rehearsal in the afternoon. I wasn’t particularly nervous myself, so I was asking myself what feels different and why? I did a self scan: a technique I’ve learnt in … More What’s different for you when you’re on stage, compared to in the practice room?

Centering, for easier connections with others

December 4, 2023

The festive time will be upon us very soon! For some of us, it is an only joyful period, spending time with friends and family. For others, the closeness to family might bring up less positive emotions. We can feel pulled into old patterns of thinking and behaviour. Ones we thought we’d left behind in … More Centering, for easier connections with others

Perception and Feldenkrais

June 6, 2022

Straight after an intense week in Brussles, representing the UK Guild at the International Feldenkrais Federation, this week I’ve been teaching teachers on the London Professional Training Programme! It’s great to be back in a learning environment, seeing the learning process, now for the third time around. We were lucky to have the wonderful Mara … More Perception and Feldenkrais

Improve Anxiety

May 21, 2022

Looking at Anxiety Part 2 The Neurophysiology of Anxiety Anxiety is created in the brain. Like everything else. As a fear based emotion/response it’s part of the sympathetic-parasympathetic system.  The fear response is holistic. (Brain-and-body). Adrenalin gets pumped around the body, and its brain equivalent epinephrine, in the brain. The nervous system includes the brain, … More Improve Anxiety

Looking at Anxiety

May 12, 2022

This week is Mental Health Week, something important to me. As someone who has worked hard to become mentally healthy, and now teaches ways to be healthier to others, I wanted to write a little about anxiety.  Last week, I played the violin for an event at my synagogue. Those of you who know me, … More Looking at Anxiety

Beginners’ mind.

May 5, 2022

Last week I was back at school teaching children the violin after the holidays. There’s such a range of personalities, and quirkiness in the children. Some who barely say anything, and those who love to talk. Some who complain, and those who say yes to most things I ask them for. And nearly all of … More Beginners’ mind.

Learn or be instructed?

March 31, 2022

Habits are created to automate our lives, to make it easier to do more. Whether that’s tying our shoelaces, or running up and down a scale. We need automation for when we need to play or move fast.  Which in itself isn’t a problem. However, it becomes problematic when we create difficulties through layers of … More Learn or be instructed?