Sensing Summer • July 2026
Sara Goldstein Studio
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News from Up Here • July Update
CAN YOU FEEL IT?
I recently presented at a vocal pedagogy conference and opened my remarks with the following thought: As singers, we inhabit our bodies in a unique way. We rely on multiple body systems to function together to create tone, expression, language and much more. And yet, our bodies can store unexpected and mysterious sensations stemming from performance anxiety, past trauma and injury. Sometimes we prefer to avoid the feelings that arise in our bodies, cutting us off from the very thing that we rely upon to make our art. Alexander Technique provides a safe and proven method for sensing and trusting our bodies and our ANS.
To put that into language that applies to all of us, I would say: We inhabit our bodies in an amazing way. We rely on multiple body systems to function together to create the life we want. And yet, our bodies can store unexpected and mysterious sensations stemming from anxiety, past trauma and injury. Sometimes we prefer to avoid the feelings that arise in our bodies, cutting us off from the very thing that we rely upon to make our lives meaningful. Alexander Technique provides a safe and proven method for sensing and trusting our bodies and our autonomic nervous system.
INTEROCEPTION
How often do we feel dissatisfied with our bodies? We see ourselves in the mirror, and in ubiquitous iphone photos and social media posts. But do we take time to consciously appreciate the feeling of our body, rather than the appearance. Can we sense the softness of our skin, the warmth of our hands, the flow of our breath and the constant messages that our body sends to our brain to regulate our everyday activities and appetites?
Those messages that our brain receives from our body are constant and essential. From a recent article in the MIT Technology Review, Katherine W. Isaacs writes, “Your brain lives in the dark space of your skull. Yet it knows when the wind lifts the hairs on your skin, when your heart is racing, when your gut tightens with fear.
It’s also, right now, predicting what you’ll read next as your eyes move across this page. It’s picking up signals that help it make sense of what’s happening around you and prepare you to act if you need to stay safe. You aren’t usually aware that your brain is doing all that.
Our senses take in information at a staggering rate—roughly 11 million bits flood in every second from our skin, eyes, ears, and more. That’s nearly three paperback novels’ worth of data every second.”
This mind/body communication system is called “interoception.” This is how we sense ourselves from the inside. The term was coined in 1906 by the British neurophysiologist Charles Sherrington. He was a contemporary of F.M. Alexander, and is one of early scientific validators of Alexander’s discoveries.
Photo of FM Alexander 1869-1955
When we feel overly stressed or fearful, we may avoid sensations that arise. That can lead to habits of avoidance of all sensations, cutting us off from life experiences. Learning to experience all sensations with a curious mind opens us up to great possibilities. Sensing is an acquired skill. We can practice being still and aware and exploring what shows up. It takes time and moments of awareness.
Alexander Technique is a great resource for honing or sensory systems.
SENSING SUMMER
Summer is a fine time to slow things down and explore our sensory realm. Heat and humidity invite us to slow our pace and linger in the moments. We might then notice the sound of birds, crickets or wind in the trees. Fruits are ripe and delicious, evenings are long and sunsets regale our eyes.
If you get extra quiet, you can tune into the rhythm of your breathing and, perhaps, the gentle beating of your heart.
What’s not to like about your body? Have you gone up a dress size? Aged just a bit? Rather, tune in to the miracle of your sensory systems and appreciate all that your body does for you. Maybe take one less photo so you can actually observe and stay in the moment in a state of awareness and wonder.
Happy summer days to you!
Photo by Judy Edwards
ABOUT THE ALEXANDER TECHINQUE
The Alexander Technique helps us to function in harmony with our natural design and with greater efficiency and ease. Alexander lessons are recognized as a valuable resource to people of all ages, including performing artists, athletes, anyone with chronic or incidental pain or just wishing to improve wellbeing.
Book a Lesson with me, or Learn More on my website.