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Fit for the Stage

Fit for the Stage4 months ago

Let's get personal...
My story, yo.

As a seeker of top level performance my whole life, in both sport and in music performance, I became drawn to the psychology behind it, eventually curating simple tools to use in order to be optimally prepared for each event, on stage or on the field.
I have a tendency toward anxiety and hyper-stimulation, and from a young age created little hacks to manage this.
During my studies in both Kinesiology and Music in University, I began to draw links between these my two great loves; applying Psychology of Exercise techniques such as visualization to my singing practice, and infusing the musical elements of rhythm and presence into my Dance and other Sport electives.
While nerding out with Psych texts was fun for me, I recognized that in order to integrate the learning, I'd need to practice the techniques over time. Truthfully, it wasn't until I felt the difference in my mind and body before and during performances over subsequent years that I realized just how useful these practices were. I found my musical and sport performance to be both more personally enjoyable, while also being more effective. Huh.
Little did I know at that time, that I would also one day have a full roster of willing and hardworking fitness clients to share these principles with, and to develop and hone them further with practice.
In practice with clients, we work from a place of focus and awareness. We aim to be optimally stimulated. We aim to be relaxed and energized. We aim to have body awareness, feeling which muscles are initiating or stabilizing in each movement. We aim to cultivate singular focus. When I work with clients, I don't always talk about these principles in depth but rather create an environment and set of cues that will immerse us in an arena of enjoyable and effective movement as a team.

Throughout my career, the learning has continued. I enjoy expanding my comfort zone by continually stepping outside it. Truthfully, it was pretty small to begin with. Everything scared me. Most things still do. Haha. Books, podcasts, courses, certifications, retreats, they’ve all contributed to my self-awareness and my ability to share, as a coach and as a human being.
One such adventure was a 10-day silent meditation retreat. Among so many other things I gained- including understanding how my mind directly impacted my body, improving my ability to meditate (duh), learning how to sit still (lol), and learning how to shut up- I experienced singular focus on a deep level.
I have never before enjoyed the taste and texture of an orange so much.
I had never before noticed the deep and profound beauty of a droplet on a leaf.
I had never been so delighted at the sound of anything as much as those glorious woodpeckers.
I have never been so in tune with the deep and undeniable sensations in my body.
I had never noticed the subtle smells in the forest. The soil, the fresh air, the sweetness of the moss.

On that retreat, sitting still for ten hours a day cross-legged for ten days, many thoughts and sensations came up. I noticed things that had previously been in my ‘blind spot’. I became aware of some low-level anxiety. I noticed I woke up with it! I never knew that before. Maybe you can relate? With a little morning meditation, my mind and body relaxed, and I felt clearer, lighter, and less overwhelmed. I attribute it to acknowledging 'what was' within me. In other words, my body and mind relaxed when I paid attention to its signals without trying to change them. Who knew? Over time, I became slower to react, and less prone to overwhelm, frustration and anger. This is because I could recognize subtler messages in my body, and could take steps to mitigate them before they got out of hand. As I have been practicing meditation for years every day now, I also require less time to be get to my desired state, one of grounded energy. That optimal level of arousal. I want to share this with you!

Try it! Mini-Retreat: Walk through the woods and acknowledge and use each sense on its own for a few minutes each. Cultivate your ability to differentiate between them. It’s seriously fun. Not that serious. ;)

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Fit for the Stage4 months ago

Hey! Hope you are singing, creating, and taking rest when needed. Learning to create for the joy of it, and the wonderful release of it is a gift.
I’ve been working on some exciting things to share with you in the future including guides, courses and webinars to give you the tools to feel empowered to take your physical and mental wellbeing to a whole new level, and be ready to perform at your highest level in studio…and one day again, on stage.
I’ve spent a heck of a lot of time figuring out what makes us humans tick, holds us back, and sometimes blocks us from truly shining. But it’s my passionate mission for you to uncover the depths of your inner glory. Sound awesome? Cool.
I want to bust a myth with you right now.
Have you ever been told, or decided that when nervous or uncomfortable on stage that you would ‘fake it til you make it’? How did it feel? If you suffer from self doubt or imposter syndrome from time to time (as most of us do), it may have made you feel even more like a fraud. I know it did for me.
You see, for many years there, I knew on some level that what I was sharing on stage was a watered-down version of me. It didn’t capture the best parts of my essence, my personality, my nature. Did I still pull it off? Sometimes. The point is, it felt like something was missing. And I didn’t feel satisfied, let alone lit up! When we pull out the best parts of us and really give them away, the result is truly miraculous. It’s unforgettable. Visceral. Exciting.
Can you think back to a time when everything lined up for you in your performance and the results were magical? Would you love to perform that way consistently? Put another way, are you satisfied with ‘pulling it off’? Or are you ready to be miraculous?
If it’s the latter, I’d love to guide you there.
I am accepting one-on-one clients via zoom, and am best at prepping you for something on the horizon that is making you nervous: shows, studio recordings, talks, interviews, videos…and most recently a (successful) court case.
Drop me a comment or dm and let’s set up a quick free call and see if we’re a fit!
Ps this is a time when I had to manage my own nerves, recording with @lornelofskyjazz ;)

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Fit for the Stage4 months ago

Got to help a client and friend get in the right headspace 🧠 🧘‍♀️ to sing the National Anthem for a Jays game today. Love this work.

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Fit for the Stage4 months ago

#selflove as a verb ❤️

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Fit for the Stage5 months ago

Ever think about how your ‘state’ affects others?

I’m not referring specifically to what you say, as much as your ‘vibe’, let’s call it. In every interaction you are influencing someone else energetically, whether you are conscious of it or not!

To learn how to ‘hold SPACE’ for another to grow or shine is a gift. Successful coaches and entertainers do this.
But any of us can rock this out to much personal satisfaction and joy.

It’s a simple but nuanced process, learning to embody various parts of yourself: confident, peaceful, powerful and positively inspiring states of being that are authentically YOU, for the purpose of nourishing others. Doesn’t that sound awesome?

This is equally applicable in interpersonal relationships as well as on stage - for the most unforgettable performances for all involved 💥

A mindset shift toward deep self awareness and intention is required, and once cultivated, can change your life, and that of those around you... not the least of which is your gobsmacked audience.

It is magic on earth. 🔥

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Fit for the Stage5 months ago

Not sure you’re the real deal?... and one day they’re all going to find you out?! Watch this.

How to bite Imposter Syndrome in the a**

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