Sara Goldstein Studio
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News from Up Here • October Update
Hello Friends,
Falling For Now
I met a dear friend for dinner and we both remarked on how cool the weather was. He said, “It’s really fall. I love this weather!” My first thought was classic: soon it will be winter and very dark out in the evening. Then it hit me. I was missing the beauty of 60 degrees light jacket weather because I was getting ahead of myself and dreading the inevitable slide into winter. (I’ll get back to you about appreciating the crisp, cold weather in a couple of months!)
Like A Cat
I can assure you that our cat, Annie, is not worrying about next month’s weather, let alone tomorrow’s. She is finding the most comfortable spot to spend the next hour, or even a few minutes, and moving on to the next one after that with no regrets for the past or worries about the future.
In my Alexander Technique class for singers we are reading Ease and Skill: a User’s Guide to the Self by Marcus James. He writes about the fundamental differences between animals and humans. Humans take much longer to evolve in their lifetimes. Newborn animals walk soon after being born, while human babies take months or years to reach this milestone. With the extended time that characterizes human development, we gain many skills and the capacity to make choices. We can hop, skip or jump, or just walk. We can learn to play the violin. Yet this cleverness can get us into trouble. We are able to think ahead, an important and necessary skill. We need to close the storm windows, change the quilt on the bed for cooler nights. But our ability to anticipate can also be a liability. If we can’t be present in our lived experience, life's experiences can pass us by as we worry about what lies ahead. We can feel the affect of this kind of stress in our muscles and over time, we may habitually carry patterns of dread and hypervigilance. Maybe we can take a lesson from the cat and seek comfort as we go.
Now I Am Here
This morning, it was a bright autumn day, and there was a chill in the air. While waiting for the train to work, I took a breath, smelled the air, and absorbed the momentary ease that was mine. The experience was perfect. And a few minutes later, when I got off the train, I didn’t rush up the stairs to the exit. I went at my own pace and took pleasure in the feeling that I had time. I exited the station without the habitual resentment of dragging myself up the stairs, but with an appreciation of my mobility, and my breathing as I crossed Mass. Ave and went on my way.
My Alexander Technique teacher, Tommy Thompson, taught us a useful expression. When you are getting ahead of yourself, or dwelling on something that isn’t useful in the moment, you can say, “This is me having an experience.” Take a breath, notice it moving in and out and you are with yourself in the present moment. This way you can appreciate any little thing that may be there for you; a tree, a breeze, a friendly face, and you can continue with your day.
Happy Fall
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.