Acousti-Coaching

Acousti-Coaching

When I first got my Acousti-Coaching CDs, I used them regularly on the Lifecycle at the gym. But then my work situation changed, taking me geographically away from my gym, and I stopped using the CDs. I noticed a feeling of back-tracking, both in how activated my center felt as well as in my stamina in the dance studio. But this past week I started working with the CDs again every day, and for the first time have taken them to the street (as I no longer have that gym membership).

I am amazed at how quickly I’m feeling things come back…my center feels stronger, my spine more activated. And of course, the fabulous endorphin high that lasts the rest of the day… I’ve been using the 5-2 “Serendipity” CD every day. Then today, I did around 4.5 miles (first on some back country roads, and then on a sunny wooded bike trail), starting with the 5-2 rhythm and then switching over to a run/jog using the 6-3 "Zooming" CD.

I love the intense hypnotic quality of the 5-2 Serendipity CD. I just kept focusing on going deeper, expressing my breath as fully as I could, as if it were a gift each time I breathed out. Eventually I fell into a rhythm of 5-2, then 5-2 again and holding my breath out, with an inward pumping action of my naval center on the next 5...and then a breathing in on the 2. It was a challenge at first to keep that sequence going, and then something within just released and felt so good, completely relaxed and surrendered when I’d lock the breath out and pump. It was truly hypnotic and peaceful.

Once I started with the 6-3 Zooming rhythm, I had to stop & start frequently because my stamina won’t allow me to maintain it on a street run (was no problem on the cycle in the gym…). Once I hit the run, I just focused on two things: 1) drawing my center in on the exhales, and 2) the sensation of my movement forward coming from the “toe hinge” of my big toes.

My Rolfing practitioner suggested last week that when I run I pay attention to the toe hinge, as a way to relieve the pressure on my hips (which are still tight), and that sensation was very strong in today’s run. I noticed how connected the toes are to the inner groin -- don't think I ever felt that connection quite as strongly. My Rolfing session a couple days ago was on the inner line from the feet to the groin, so I'm not surprised that inner line felt more energized than before.

So...I got lost in the rhythm of the breathing, the feeling of drawing my naval & waist in narrow, and using my toes to propel me forward. My feet eventually felt like hands turning a globe. Meanwhile, my hips felt like they were hanging softly from my spine. I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed in my upper body & hips while running before.

Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow. Have been viewing it as a priority to energize myself every day, and to “clear out the cobwebs” in my mind to keep myself present to what I’m creating in my life.

This stuff is so great, because it always delivers.

BreathPlay... Using the breath to coordinate movement.

Back in June, upon hearing of my frustration with a stamina problem during dance competition, Maja Servé - world-class ballroom dancer, coach, and adjudicator -- generously pointed me in the direction of a book by Ian Jackson. In hindsight, that moment was dramatically pivotal for me. Not only did I seek out and drink in Jackson's book The BreathPlay Approach to Whole Life Fitness, but I began working with his Acousti-Coaching training CDs and experimenting with how to apply his BreathPlay techniques both on and off the dance floor.

To my delight, Ian Jackson and I became friends and have spent hours on the phone talking about the power of the breath, its relevance to self-expression, and various ways to more effectively harness its creative energy. His breath-coaching techniques comprise some of the most important tools I’ve encountered in my life -- they’ve contributed potently to transforming my outlook, body, and dancing since I was introduced to them, and still my use of and experience with them feels like just the tip of the tip of the iceberg.

Breathwork is not something new to me. I’ve worked with conscious-breathing techniques for years, especially in the context of my yoga explorations. Variants of deep, audible ujjayi breathing are common in yoga and meditative practices, and are by now second nature to me. I’ve experimented with various breathing techniques taught in Kundalini and Kriya yoga; I’ve taken Art of Living workshops, and practiced Pranayama on my own, including a bit of Swara Yoga (left/right-balancing nostril breathing).

But what BreathPlay has done for me is to bring an awareness of these techniques into my every day experience. There isn't a moment where they can't be played with. The day has become filled with opportunities to pay attention to how I'm breathing, and to use my breath to focus on movement or a particular part of my body...and to have fun doing it! When I take the time to invest my energy this way, things really begin to kick into new gears!

I’ve started this blog to share my on-going exploration of the breath, especially in applying BreathPlay techniques, and in using the breath to energize the nervous system, to coordinate movement, and to improve my dancing. And am hoping my dance friends, other athletes…and perhaps Ian Jackson himself…will participate in discussion on the topic!