Moving Well
That's the Goal
Moving well does not depend on how you look, your body type, or your age. Moving well is a combination of:
Using the ground for support and movement
Breathing well: rib cage mobility & core support
Presence: being aware in the moment to experience what you are doing
Whole body: movement & coordination effort distributed through the body
We are all capable of high-quality movement and strength, no matter your shape, size, or age.
For Musicians…
Expression emanates from our movement. Moving well opens up access to an array of subtle movements that create expressive nuances. If you, like me, don’t feel you have enough hours in the day to practice, the good news is we can make the most of our day to fine-tune movement quality. Simple actions like walking up the stairs, lifting objects, moving from standing to sitting, or walking through a store are all about movement, too. Exercise is an opportunity to fine-tune movement efficiency with the breath while building strength and mobility, and using the ground. Being intentional about how we move feeds directly into our music-making.
For me, functional strength training has been integral to my playing. Functional strength training uses compound movements to fine-tune the movements we use in everyday life, moving from sitting to standing, reaching, pulling, pushing, and holding objects up. A great example is standing more easily and more grounded. Changing the way I stand makes supporting my instrument easier, allowing my fingers to move more easily and my breathing to be more efficient. It’s a snowball effect.
Why not harness the power of your life to support your artistic endeavors? You will not only make practice time more efficient and have more confidence, but you will also enjoy more joy, play, and fulfillment. Moving well, that’s the goal.
Be curious…
P.S. I found so much benefit from strength training that I became a trainer to support musicians like you! ;-)