Tuning your Torso
In order to breathe, we must move our ribs and diaphragms. The movement of these parts also transports our body, supports our arms and shapes our posture. For us cellists, this means that how we breathe directly influences critical aspects of our playing from the suppleness of our cello sandwich to the freedom and power of our arms.
In this 4-class workshop, you will experience all the ways your torso can support your playing.
Begin Your journey
Topics will include
- Clarifying the role of your ribs in breathing and posture
- Glueing your lungs
- Mapping your diaphragms (yes, there are multiple!)
- Balancing the tonus of your pelvic floor
- Easing hyperventilation, holding and other breathing disturbances
- Softening your chest and shoulder girdle for a cuddly sandwich
- 360-degree adaptable breathing
Class 1
Softening your Chest
Our chest is the true floor of cello playing; the place on which our arm weight rests. Yet this floor is alive! It moves, it breathes, and the softer and more flexible it becomes, the more we can not only cushion our arm weight, but transport it as well. Discover the 44 joints of your chest and enjoy their squishy wonders!
Class 2
Playing from your Diaphragms
Our diaphragms are like the sound-posts of our body. We know they’re important, they’re somewhere inside us, but we don’t quite know what to do with them. In this class, you will not only learn to sense your diaphragms, but to connect them to your playing so that you can get power from your core without disturbing your breath.
Class 3
Hand-Ribs Connection
Our ribs are like the fingers of our torso and our fingers are like the ribs of our arms. The softness and intelligence in one can inspire a softness and intelligence in the other. Once you become aware of this interplay, you’ll no longer need to sacrifice your breathing in order to focus on your playing. Breathing freely and playing freely will become one and the same.
Class 4
Your Cello Balloon
When we move a balloon, we think of transporting its rubbery container. The air inside just goes along for the ride. But what if the air itself could move the balloon from the inside out? We’ll explore this question in the balloon of your chest and discover the magical quality that comes from moving and playing from the inside out.
Topics will include
- Clarifying the role of your ribs in breathing and posture
- Glueing your lungs
- Mapping your diaphragms (yes, there are multiple!)
- Balancing the tonus of your pelvic floor
- Easing hyperventilation, holding and other breathing disturbances
- Softening your chest and shoulder girdle for a cuddly sandwich
- 360-degree adaptable breathing
Begin Your journey
