More deeply rooted in the AT work

Guitar & AT Project
Day 20/40

Clear development in the area of working with the left and right hand right exercises: the detailed work on the operation of the hand / fingers in now embedded in the whole body work. It's actually quite astonishing to see the difference between how I work on certain exercises now, and how I used to do it say 3 years ago. Despite having a long break from practicing the guitar, last week I was able to practice some normally awkward left hand combinations without any pain and discomfort. This I believe was thanks to working with the principle of the wholeness of the body. My guitar work is now more deeply rooted in the AT work. It makes a huge difference.

This is the 20th day of the project, another 20 to go. So, I'm in the middle!

The focus of this week's work was on the negative directions.What a wonderful discovery - looking forward to carry on exploring and playing with them.

Engaging the whole body in activity

Guitar & AT Project
Day 19/40

Tiredness. This makes working at the same level of attention as over the last 3 days impossible, but that's fine - it's the part of the process, isn't it?

Work on the left hand exercises. For me it is not only about zooming in on the left hand fingers anymore, but engaging the whole body in activity.

Negative directions

Here's the link to the Body Learning podcast about the Negative Directions:

Using Negative Alexander Technique Directions.

There are 2 more related follow-up interviews on the website.

A moment of psycho-physical unity

Guitar & AT Project
Day 18/40
 
In my application for the AAD Course I wrote: My Aim is to apply the principles of the Alexander Technique to practicing the guitar. The focus being: experimenting & playfulness.

In this spirit I carry on playing around with the inhibitory directions. This is the only thing I define in terms of my AT work (The guitar material is provided by the Course) for today.

So, I respond with my AT thinking to whataver I notice. If I notice my breathing is restricted, I think: I'm not breathing, and so on. Another directions used today: I'm not playing guitar, I'm not tensing my right hand, I'm not fixing, I'm not tensing myself. I don't think this contradicts the principle of defining the Aim positively. Say my aim is to find release and more freedom in activity - the negative directions definitely support this positive aim.

At one point I notice how this way of thinking prevents tension from happening during practicing an exercise that usually induces tension. I have a very clear moment of psycho-physical unity awareness. At that point, I couldn't really clearly draw the line between where thinking stops and doing begins. What a wonderful experience.

The process of practicing is gradually becoming organic.

The Outcome

Guitar & AT Project
Day 17/40

Today I continue playing with the inhibitory directions during guitar practice.

At one point, as a result of released tension in my right shoulder, the arm considerably drops. This changes the position of the elbow and makes it very uncomfortable, so I re-adjust the strap and basically pull the guitar bit higher. Improvement. It seems that this offers much better and balanced position for my right arm.

It's quite remarkable. This development improvement is no doubts an outcome of a process based on the principles of the Alexander Technique.

Inhibitory Directions

Guitar & AT Project
Day 16/40

A new week begins, the energy levels almost fully restored.

Today the focus of my guitar practice was more on the technique (mainly slow speed), so it was easier to give part of my attention to the Alexander Technique principles.

Experiment with the so called negative, or inhibitory directions. The ones I focused most on:

• I'm not sitting down
• I'm not playing the guitar
• I'm not breathing
• I'm not tensing myself
   

I was thinking all those things, while engage in those activities. For example, I'm sitting down and at the same time think: 'I'm not sitting'. According to some AT teachers these kind of directions are very powerful.  

I enjoyed working with them while standing and walking. What I noticed during guitar practice: these directions draw me nearer the state I would call doing nothing.

Warta River

Trust the process

Guitar & AT Project
Day 12/40

Today my focus was on having the sense of my whole body while practicing the guitar. While I was practicing the right hand technique (release in the wrist) I also scanned my feet and legs, and the rest of the body. This approach made me more open to the space outside me.

I still don't have as much attention available as I wish I had, but I accept it and trust the process. No force involved in this.
 

Beginning again...

Guitar & AT Project
Day 11/40

Back from Poland after one week break A very good visit - that week provided lot of information to digest. I wish I could have more space to do so, but it's not going to be possible with the all the things waiting to be addressed here in London. I can't complain though, as some space is created by the Morning Sitting, lie-downs and intentional pauses during the day. A luxury!

I had a long lie-down before the guitar practice today. I finished before being really ready to move on.

One hour of guitar work. What did I notice about the practice today? Too much focus on the material presented and not enough care taken about the process of practice and how I 'move' and 'think'. I am also very tired, so not much energy is available for the Alexander work. No problem, it happens.

On our way to the train station in Łaszew.

It's also going to be challenging

Picture above - courtesy of Agnieszka

Guitar & AT Project
Day 10/40

The Guitar Circle Of Europe At-A-Distance Course begins today. I'm going to use the material presented for the guitar aspect of my practice.


I'm sitting down with the guitar on, ready to begin the practice. Notice that I really want to get on with it asap - this new material is such a strong stimulae, but I'm not going to fall into the trap of end-gaining here. I pause and calm down before I begin.

Yes, working within clear and defined context has its advantages, especially when one is working with a supportive Team. However, it's also going to be challenging, which is great - more practice opportunities!

Anyway. Time for a break - off to Poland for a week tomorrow...