Singing With Your Whole Self : The Feldenkrais Method and Voice

Preface vii Acknowledgments ix Overview 1(18) Relating the Feldenkrais Method to the Teaching of Singing 1(2) Overview of the Feldenkrais Method 3(2) Key Ideas in the Development of the Feldenkrais Method 5(3) Kinesthetic Imagination 8(2) Relationship of This Work to Pedagogical Literature 10(3) Awareness Through Movement 13(1) Introduction to the Lessons 13(4) Mini-ATM: Freeing the Neck to Turn Freely 17(2) Control and Letting Go 19(14) Active Control 19(2) Allowing or Passive Control 21(1) ATM: Weights and Levers 22(4) Tension and Function 26(1) ATM: Taming Tongue Tension 27(6) The Base of Support 33(16) The Role of Feet and Legs 33(2) ATM: Balance in Standing 35(5) Using the Floor 40(1) ATM: The Connection of Feet Through to Head 41(5) High Heels 46(1) Leg-Length Differential 47(1) A Simple Exercise: Strengthening the Adductors 48(1) Intentionality and Effort 49(8) Intention 49(2) Efforting 51(1) Power and Potential 52(2) Reversibility Principle 54(1) The Whole Is Not the Sum of the Parts 55(2) Pelvic Power 57(16) The Pelvis 57(1) Vocal Context: Powering from the Power Base 58(3) ATM: Pelvic Clock 61(6) The Pelvis in Sitting 67(1) ATM: The Role of the Pelvis in Sitting Erect 68(5) Breathing 73(16) Mechanics of Breathing 73(3) ATM: Breathe and Find Your Center 76(4) Recovery from Illness 80(1) ATM: Lengthening the Lungs 81(8) Upper Trunk Flexibility 89(16) The Upper Trunk 89(1) ATM: Freeing the Ribs 90(5) The Midspine 95(1) ATM: Lateral Flexion 96(6) Scoliosis 102(1) Mini-ATM: Evening the Sides 103(2) Shoulder Girdle and Arms 105(12) Shoulders and Breath 105(1) ATM: Reaching Out 106(6) Shoulder Tension 112(1) ATM: Shoulder Release 112(5) Head and Neck 117(16) Positioning the Head 117(1) ATM: Relating Head and Pelvis 118(6) Role of the Head in Vocal Production 124(1) ATM: Relating Shoulders, Neck, and Jaw 125(4) Headaches 129(1) Mini-ATM: Releasing the Neck 130(3) Hands and Mouth 133(12) Relationship of Hands and Tongue 133(1) Shoulders and Hand Tension 134(1) ATM: Magic Hands 135(3) Imaginary Warm-Ups 138(1) The Mouth 138(2) ATM: Softening the Mouth 140(5) The Eyes 145(12) Role of the Eyes in Movement 145(2) Releasing Minor Neck Cricks 147(1) Visual Tension 147(1) ATM: Releasing the Eyes 148(4) Glasses 152(1) Ocular Muscles and the Sinuses 153(1) ATM: Eyes Relate to Jaw 153(4) Pedagogical Uses for This Volume 157(2) Student Use 157(1) Group (Class) Voice and Ensemble Rehearsal Use 157(1) Teacher Use (Private Studio Voice) 158(1) Appendix Functional Integration 159(2) Glossary 161(2) References and Resources 163(2) Index of Lessons 165(4) General Index 169(2) About the Authors 171