CONTROL AND LETTING GO: TAMING TENSION AND PERFORMANCE ANXIETY WITH THE THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD

Elizabeth Blades

Introduction
A dynamic performance requires a fine balance between excited energy and calm control. Performance anxiety generally manifests itself as tension because we feel over-matched, under-prepared or somehow threatened by the situation. We instinctively try harder and only succeed in increasing the tension in areas that are already too tight. Such a vicious cycle causes the performer to focus on his or her short-comings and only on what is “wrong” rather than the bigger picture of what is “right”.
Whenever we engage in an activity, we desire to be in control. We want to know that we are doing something, particularly if we are not confident of our skill or ability. So, if we can feel ourselves doing it, whatever it is, we feel we are performing properly. Yet when we are doing something really well, we are so focused there is no sense of anything but enacting our intent. There is an effortless kind of effort that occurs when we truly perform well. This sensation has many names: flow, oneness, the elusive obvious, being “in the zone”. But it is replicating the experience, not naming it, that really matters. To replicate the flow state, we have to allow our natural way of being to occur. Thus, active control is anathema to reaching this state. This means that, ultimately, active control gets in the way of optimal performance.
For the performer, being “in the flow” is a heady sensation, one in which the body and voice seems to feel its freest and most inevitable, almost as if someone else were singing/speaking or performing. All too often, however, this elevation to the “flow state” is elusive, inaccessible, blocked and impeded by barriers which range from the psychological to the physical. One of the biggest culprits is “negative” physical tension.
Tension is necessary to life; without any tonus (muscle tension), we cannot stand, sit, or even breathe. Problems arise when tension is excessive, misplaced, or insufficient, causing extra effort and blockage. The Feldenkrais Method is one approach which can help a performer to focus appropriate attention to physical cues via kinesthetic awareness, thereby offsetting negative attention on feelings of inadequacy. This can alleviate or even eradicate such negative tension, thereby enhancing “vocal ease”. This workshop is designed to lead participants through “modular” Feldenkrais work designed to help calm the nervous system without loss of performance energy.

Complete Workshop Description
Brief Introduction to Feldenkrais Method
The Feldenkrais Method, named after its discoverer, Moshe Feldenkrais, is a self-discovery process using movement. Its aim is to produce an individual organized to perform with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. The movements used are simple, gentle, pleasant, exploratory, and fun. They are usually repeated a number of times to clarify and enhance performance.
“Pre-Test” Short Group Vocal Warmup and individual tension identification:
Dr. Blades leads the participants through a series of brief, simple vocal exercises designed to 1) warm-up the voice and 2) give the participants kinesthetic “pre-test” i.e., the feel and sense of the vocal instrument before a Feldenkrais lesson. Individuals are asked to identify awareness of any areas in which undue “negative” tension seems to impede vocal freedom.
Short Feldenkrais ATM (“Awareness Through Movement”) lesson:
The group experiences a short Awareness Through Movement lesson.
“Post-Test” group vocalize and individual report of any changes, especially in “pre-test” tension areas.
Dr. Blades leads group through same vocal exercises as in “pre-test”. Individuals assess and react to any changes in vocal freedom, especially in those areas where tension existed before the Feldenkrais lesson.
Individual work: Volunteer participants receive Feldenkrais work specific to “blocked” or impeded areas (i.e., places where tension or body mis-use prevents freedom and ease). Number of individuals included is flexible according to time restrictions.
Questions/Answers

Elizabeth Blades, DMA
Vocalhealthworks
Box 172, Allenspark, Colorado, 80510 USA
ebzvocalhealth@hotmail.com
303-747-1013