'The Pause'

Mindfully Experiencing The Process

We instinctually dive headfirst into many tasks.  Building awareness of this instinct, and interrupting it is a way to consciously begin be present in the moment.   This can apply to approaching a piece of music on your music stand, as well as any other task you want to do differently.

One way to build awareness is to practice ‘the pause’ in a routine, habitual part of your life.  Eating has always been a great opportunity for me.  How often I eat, taking for granted the texture and taste of the food I consume.  Sometimes I don’t even taste the food until my last bite because I am consumed in thinking about something else.  This is the perfect place to practice ‘the pause’ and interrupt the mindlessness I typically eat with.

Now that I have identified my activity, it’s time to get into the ‘how'.  Here are a few ideas on practicing the pause while eating…

• Notice the colors, textures, and arrangement of food on your plate as you sit down to eat.

  • Notice how it changes periodically throughout the meal.

• Feel the texture of food inside your mouth as you chew.

• Chew slowly and mindfully, notice particular elements of the food such as a fruity, salty, or spicy taste or a chunky or smooth texture.

• Put your fork down between every bite or every other bite, noticing how your arm moves to place it down, then pick it up again.

  Side note: this makes eating ice cream even more delicious and enjoyable.

Now, use the same sort of intention in practicing and performing.

• Feel the ground as you look at your music. How are you contacting it?

• Feel the shape of the instrument in your hands, contours, and textures, or the clothing on your body. What details can you notice?

• Experience the arm movements that bring the instrument to your body or arms to the instrument.

• Notice the contact with the instrument as you play.  Where do you contact? What is the quality of contact like?

Choosing just one cue will bring you more fully into the moment that will allow you to create art more authentically, or be human.

Be curious…

Practicing Falling is the topic of tomorrow’s Body Mapping for EveryBODY. This came about at the suggestion of a friend after she heard about my falls at Parkour. I realize I didn’t break anything because I knew how to fall! Join us 11amET