What if it’s not really useful to breathe into the belly? When they tell you to breathe into the belly, most people actually mean diaphragmatic breathing. Belly breathing is a version of it at least: to access the lengthening of the lungs as well as outward expansion. But that’s not always the only effect. The … More Belly breathing: A hidden cause of back pain?
Since becoming a Feldenkrais teacher, now a decade ago, I’ve become more and more fascinated with our anatomy. We’re so fortunate to have access in our digital world to teachers all around the world. I’ve been particularly taken with the dissection work of Gill Hedley. And took some time in the preparation of these lessons … More Ribs and the Intercostals: A team in the movement of breathing and moving
Some of you may aware of tension in their torso, (which is made of the many bones of the ribcage). but many have forgotten what having a comfortable, supple ribcage feels like. A flexible chest allows healthy movement through your whole body, and improves your ability to breathe. Your ribs are designed for flexibility. With 12 pairs, … More Why should you care about freedom in your ribs?
For many musicians, breath is thought of as fuel: the more you inhale, the more you have to give. It might seem logical to “take a big breath” before a demanding phrase or passage. More air should mean more sound? Yet this pursuit of volume often makes breathing harder, not easier. The act of trying … More The Myth of the Big Breath
This last ten days I’ve been a little under the weather with a cold. Not unusual for this time of year of course. It’s been interesting to think about the experience of having a cold from a movement point of view. And to notice the change in holding patterns that come with illness.The most noticeable … More The adaptive breath: how illness affects breathing and what to do about it
As it’s the Jewish New Year this week, (Shana Tova to those of you that celebrate!), I thought it might be interesting to share a Hebrew concept many of you may not have heard of. Hafshata: “the virtue that arises when something is taken away.” I was introduced to it recently, when a Feldenkrais colleague wrote about … More Freeing your Ribs: Part 3
This Summer was a pretty busy one. I was on a training course, continuing the Childspace Training in Italy, performing with the Gabrieli Consort, with their youth choir, who were brillliant, followed by teaching on the London Professional Feldenkrais Training course, who are now in their 2nd year. I did get a little time off, … More How can you keep your holiday feeling?
This week, one of my Feldenkrais teachers passed away. I wanted to share a little, to celebrate her long life with you all. Chava Shelhav was one of Moshe Feldenkrais’ first students- he chose 13 to work with. She was the youngest at the time, and like many of the Israeli students, taught on Feldenkrais’ … More Celebration of Life
Exploring the Connection Between Tension, Voice, and Expression Sound is, at its essence, the oscillation or vibration of air. It travels through space as waves, ripples set in motion by something moving. When we speak, sing, or play an instrument, we’re the source of that movement. The quality of our sound is directly influenced by … More How Much of You Vibrates When You Make Sound?
Witnessing the work with mothers and babies during the Child’space training in Palermo recently was such a pleasure. My knowledge of children’s songs came in useful, and I can now sing “If you’re happy and you know it” in Italian. Interestingly the tune is a little different to ours! Music plays a big part in Child’space, and … More Self image and movement
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