News & Stories for Musicians

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Silencing the Inner Critic: How Self-Talk and Feldenkrais Can Help Tame Performance Anxiety

Anxiety is November's theme for the new term of MU Feldenkrais sessions, which are free and run exclusively for members. In this blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher, Emma Alter, reflects on how she manages negative self-talk and why her practice helps foster self-compassion.

Published: 22 October 2024

Person sat on the floor cross-legged in front of an open laptop, surrounded by a note book and tealight candles.

Breathing For Calm: A Short Breath Control Exercise From Feldenkrais Expert Emma Alter

Originally posted during International Feldenkrais Week on her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses breath control and how she approaches it in her classes, which are free for MU members.

Published: 19 July 2024

A Feldenkrais demonstration taking place, where the arm of a model skeleton is held up in the same pose as the arm of a demonstrating participant

Michelle Saacks: Why I go the MU’s free Feldenkrais sessions

The MU have been running Feldenkrais sessions for members over Zoom for a few years now, and in this article MU Member Michelle Saacks talks about her own Feldenkrais journey – from finding herself in a more functioning body, to the impact it’s had on her teaching.

Published: 14 April 2023

Silhouette of women holding her head in her hands in front of an open window, while the same figure appears in the background, arms raised representing she has overcome anxiety.

Looking at Anxiety: The Feldenkrais Method for Musicians

Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter looks at the neurophysiology of anxiety and how the Feldenkrais method can help performers.

Published: 26 July 2022

Women with short dark hair, her eyes are closed and she is breathing deeply, an orange sunrise is subtly imposed over the head to symbolise mindfulness and new beginnings.

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

In this repost of her blog (The Moving Brain), professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter explains how your mood can affect how you breathe, and how you breathe can affect and influence your mood.

Published: 21 April 2022

2 silver fold up chairs on blue yoga mats.

Feldenkrais: Working With, or Moving Past Fear of Pain

In this repost of her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter responds to a question raised in one of her classes about fear of movement due to pain.

Published: 18 February 2022

Pink model brain on a peach coloured plain background

What is the Point of Feldenkrais?

Professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter cuts to the crux on the matter on Feldenkrais as an experiential learning method.

Published: 31 January 2022

Two purple fold up chairs standing on two seperate purple yoga mats in bright, sunny lighting.

Feldenkrais Method for Musicians – Why do it?

You are your primary Instrument, whether that’s a Strad or a factory violin is up to how you use what you have! Find out how the Feldenkrais Method could help.

Published: 23 September 2021

Photograph of a small boy playing around with a xylophone

Feldenkrais and Practice: Creativity and Play

In this Feldenkrais and Practise blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how we learn through play.

Published: 23 December 2020

Photograph of a young man in a yellow t-shirt against a yellow background, he is wearing earphones and stretching with an expression on his face indicating he may be in pain.

Feldenkrais and Practise: Supporting the Arms

In this third Feldenkrais and Practise blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how we can use Feldenkrais technique to explore how we support the arms and hands during practice.

Published: 06 November 2020

Movement in contact improvisation at Feldenkrais workshop

Changing Habits Through Your Feldenkrais Practice

Emma Alter, tutor for our regular (now Zoom based) Feldenkrais classes, discusses, how we can get up close and curious with our habits, and discover more about how we work.

Published: 14 July 2020

Feldenkrais and Practice

Emma Alter, tutor for our regular (now Zoom based) Feldenkrais classes, discusses, “How do we as musicians incorporate or involve Feldenkrais in our instrumental (or singing) practice?” and how we can practice embodiment in our everyday movement too.

Published: 29 May 2020

Monthly Feldenkrais classes starting from May 2019

The Musicians’ Union (MU) will be holding a series of workshops exploring how your habits of movement can constrain your potential – both on and off the stage.

Published: 28 March 2019

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