Cello has always been my passion. Since becoming a 'chi runner' I have learned how to apply the principals of Alignment and relaxation to the practice of cello playing. Danny Dreyer has recently introduced the 4 Elements, Earth, Water, Fire and Air into his teachings, and I am amazed how they apply to both running and playing the cello.
Playing any musical instrument, requires, getting to know your instrument, just like getting to know your body. The first Element, Earth, is to get centered or grounded. Before playing a note, I sit up in my chair (with my cello), making sure my shoulders are directly over my hip bones, then lengthen through the crown of my head. I move around on my sitting bones and connect to my dantien (center) until I feel grounded in my chair. This practice is the same as the 'grounding stance' before a run representing the element Earth.
The next step is to pick up my bow and draw it across the strings allowing for a rich, clean and fluid sound. This requires my shoulders and arms to be very relaxed, like a stream or waterfall, representing the element Water.
Now it is time for the warm up exercises, which are a series of scales and arpeggios, using the metronome. (Do I hear an echo as ChiRunners?) As a young cellist, I failed to understand the importance of the ‘warm up’ and was completely unaware of anything to do with getting grounded or being in alignment. As a result my ability to improve suffered.
The 3rd element is Fire which is about playing from the heart. It is about allowing myself to move freely, being in my body, letting go of the outcome, and trusting the process. This does not happen without all the hours of diligent practice, getting to know the notes and rhythms. Playing with fire is exciting and frightening at the same time. It is feeling the passion and running with it.
What is important now is the Breath, the 4th element Air. How often do we forget to breathe effectively in life generally? For something as fundamental as breathing, it is interesting that we need to remind ourselves to do this often... just 'breathe'. The more frequently we practice breathing while doing an activity, whether it is playing tennis, practicing yoga or Pilates, writing a blog, or especially running or walking, the easier and more natural it will feel. The breath allows us to control emotion, particularly nervousness. I have found that remembering to breathe while playing the cello, helps me to relax more, feel lighter and more present.
I am more inclined to feel 'in' my body and less aware of the audience. It has allowed me to feel like I am moving towards the 'Mastery phase' which is where the feeling of effortlessness lies.
Just as I have found more joy with running, so it is with 'chi cello'.
Playing any musical instrument, requires, getting to know your instrument, just like getting to know your body. The first Element, Earth, is to get centered or grounded. Before playing a note, I sit up in my chair (with my cello), making sure my shoulders are directly over my hip bones, then lengthen through the crown of my head. I move around on my sitting bones and connect to my dantien (center) until I feel grounded in my chair. This practice is the same as the 'grounding stance' before a run representing the element Earth.
Now it is time for the warm up exercises, which are a series of scales and arpeggios, using the metronome. (Do I hear an echo as ChiRunners?) As a young cellist, I failed to understand the importance of the ‘warm up’ and was completely unaware of anything to do with getting grounded or being in alignment. As a result my ability to improve suffered.
The 3rd element is Fire which is about playing from the heart. It is about allowing myself to move freely, being in my body, letting go of the outcome, and trusting the process. This does not happen without all the hours of diligent practice, getting to know the notes and rhythms. Playing with fire is exciting and frightening at the same time. It is feeling the passion and running with it.
What is important now is the Breath, the 4th element Air. How often do we forget to breathe effectively in life generally? For something as fundamental as breathing, it is interesting that we need to remind ourselves to do this often... just 'breathe'. The more frequently we practice breathing while doing an activity, whether it is playing tennis, practicing yoga or Pilates, writing a blog, or especially running or walking, the easier and more natural it will feel. The breath allows us to control emotion, particularly nervousness. I have found that remembering to breathe while playing the cello, helps me to relax more, feel lighter and more present.
I am more inclined to feel 'in' my body and less aware of the audience. It has allowed me to feel like I am moving towards the 'Mastery phase' which is where the feeling of effortlessness lies.
Just as I have found more joy with running, so it is with 'chi cello'.