Does this sound distinctly familiar? Research shows that the pandemic took a toll on our wellbeing and left us feeling stagnated. As Adam Grant says, “It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. And it might be the dominant emotion of 2021.” It's a case of the BLAHS, for sure.
How do we lift this fog and recharge toward a sense of fulfillment and purpose? What is anti-languishing? Psychologists call this flourishing. It's a balanced state of meaning, community, satisfaction and appreciation. And it's what we're ultimately after!
Here are 5 ways to incorporate a sense of flourishing in your daily clarinet practice!
Move Your Body In Space
This means - go outside! You might be getting out now as things open up, but we know more than one student who's still just venturing out just to go to class. Walk at least 1 mile everyday, preferably without pods in. Look around at the road, people, nature, tress or sky - you're part of the environment around you!
Incorporate Breathing Into Each Practice SessionExpel that stale air and refresh your body by getting air moving through you! Here are 9 great exercises that you can pick and choose for the occasion. The Bow & Arrow breath is always a fun favorite!
Click here to view.
Allow Practice to Flow
These exercises will help you get into a healthy “flow' - of air, of fingers, of tongue and of fluidity of sound through time and across the registers of the clarinet. Inside you'll find the Ring Tone Exercise, an Opperman Finger Flow, Agile Articulation and more - which you can incorporate into your next warm up!
Click here to download it!
Plan Your Practice and Set Goals
Lay out the music you want/ need to learn in the next several weeks, or even further afield. List aspects of your technique you want to improve. When you can see everything in front of you, start prioritizing and planning out your practice sessions so that you can accomplish small bite-sized goals. Small moments of mastery can give your routine a good deal of meaning!
Connect to a Community or Tribe
Even the most introverted among us needs to feel a sense of connection. A practice buddy to play for or do duets with, past school friends, current colleagues, even a quick chat with a stranger, can be energizing. Seek out high quality connections and opportunities to bond with others. It can be outside of music, like a running group, or cycling class. Perhaps join an online community… there are a few right here under your nose ;-)
