Alexander Technique interview with Rachelle Tsachor
What is your
definition of the Alexander technique?
A technique for consciousness of how you are doing what you
do.
How can it be applied
to musicians?
Learning the alexander technique helps the musician be aware
of what they are thinking, and how they are carrying out that thinking in
action, so that they add stress into the system.
What is your view on
performance anxiety/how do you handle it?
Notice the thinking/stimulus, and then notices the response
to the thinking. Sees if she wants to think of something different so not
building up stress.
Are there certain
techniques that are helpful in getting rid of tension for performance anxiety?
Alexander technique. Allowing the neck to be free is a start
and let the body come out of startle and into a more balanced readiness.
Do you think it’s ever
possible to completely get over performance anxiety/stiffening of the body?
One can become an expert in response to a stimulus. Becoming
empowered.
Interesting
experiment: She asked me how I feel about performance anxiety and as I told
her how I felt, she said I tensed up and the color in my face actually changed
a little.
Its important to notice our response to an anxiety. Also noticing the physical response to a stimulus
and then undoing the physical response.
Extra:
Movement helps relax from the stress.
Stress responses: Fight, flight, freeze, flop
My favourite way of overcoming performance anxiety is to always imagine the people in the audience are totally naked.
ReplyDeleteA interesting post on how nervousness and stage fright can build up. As an Alexander Technique teacher, I've found that it can be very useful to ask people not to fight their anxiety, but rather to notice the physical signs of it, and work on them. In making a difference to their physical state, they find that their mental state changes. They may still be anxious, but they're able to pour that energy into their performance.
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be a reoccurring theme with performance anxiety with people I've talked to. Learning to accept the nerves you are getting because of wanting to do well would be helpful. Thanks for the input!
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