Uncovering Fluid, Effortless, Connected Movement
What I Learned in Parkour, Part 4
“Breathing is the key to coordination.”
If you aren’t breathing well, you won’t be moving well. Think of the movement adjectives you aspire in your playing (in your life) fluid, effortless, connected. The better you breathe, the more coordination you can access. When looking for fluid technique, smoother finger changes, or a longer line, the solution may be in the quality of your breath.
When we are confronted by a challenge, our reaction is often to hold the breath. Even though I breathe to play the flute, I recognized that I encountered a slight holding as I would prepare to play, and I was guilty of being an under breather, in other words breathing less than the sound needed.
Parkour, offers a myriad of movement challenges which range from fear of a particular move, let’s say jumping down from a 6-foot wall in a way that dissipates the force. Or fear of completing something successfully, like trying to jump up to the fourth stair from the ground. (I am stuck on stair 3 in this.)
Last year I noticed I had the habit of holding my breath every time I contemplated a jump. I was “trying” to get it but without the help of the breath. This subconscious habit reduced my power as well as my accuracy.
An ‘a-ha’ moment came when I recognized this habit. I used the realization to practice integrating the breath in movement. Coordination and strength come on the exhale.
By learning to breathe when I was faced with Parkour challenges, I enhanced my breathing for playing. I used the tools of Body Mapping to breathe to support my movement intentions. This process illustrated the power of the breath in real-time, which helped me bring a new perspective on breathing into my playing.
Look for places in your music that make you nervous, make you press your finger harder than needed, or grip the bow too much, or under-breathe. When you find these little black holes of fear, work with your breath. The quality of the inhale AND exhale contributes to expression in a profound way.
Be curious…
Not a musician…
How do you hold your pencil, paring knife, phone or steering wheel? These are times when you will find restricted breathing which translates to overworking which contributes to fatigue…
Tuesday Drop-In Classes continue, 3pm ET
6/1 - Maximizing The Visual Field
6/8 - No Class
6/15 - Connecting Collarbones
6/22 - Foot/Pelvis Connection
6/29 Shoulder Blade Movements!