Just like balance, movement and breath are so intricately tied up with “being” that we can be unaware of their existence.  It is not uncommon for these two natural aspects of our physical nature to become constrained while sitting behind an instrument.  One way to bring movement and breath to the forefront of our consciousness is engaging in exaggerated activities for the purpose of heightening awareness.

I often observe students “holding” their bodies – contracting musculature, holding rigid positions, and holding the breath.  Realizing that we have choices about this is the first step to a more efficient and relaxed technique.  Let’s examine how holding the breath impacts our movement:

Next, let’s engage in a exercise that helps our body learn the possibilities of coordinating breath and movement: