Podcast – Episode 6: Spine & Thoracic

Listen to Episode 6 on ApplePodcast

Listen to Episode 6 on Spotify

Being half-paralysed at 14 years old after an accident in my PE class threatened my creative life. I was training and working with a theatre company alongside my studies. Being locked in a neck-brace, on strong medication and pretty much in constant pain took its toll on my body, my mind, my creativity and my Voice. 

I still own that neck-brace, as I’ve had a few relapses over the years. But, since fully taking advantage of what the Alexander technique, Calisthenics, Yoga and Animal flow have to offer: I haven’t had to use it. I still keep it though. It’s my little memento. Of how much I’ve gained from it, despite the pain and tears.

At the time, the singing teacher of the theatre company I trained and performed with, got me to focus on breath, singing, on relaxing my body through my voice as much as possible. Further down the line, from Paris, France via Bonn, Germany, all the way to London; I met incredible movers and wellness practitioners who shared their knowledge of the body through the lens of their industry: be it yoga, fitness, calisthenics, physiotherapy, acupuncture and massage therapy.   

They taught me their ways, and I soaked it all in and made them my own: combining all these elements from the fitness, wellness and performance industry, I understood you could create this awareness Alexander sought, through breath, controlled movement and relaxation. 

And THIS gives your voice the space and release it needs.

If you’re interested in starting a movement practice…

Here’s my TOP 5 YOGA & CALISTHENICS moves & poses

MY TOP 5 Yoga
Heart Openers & Spine Lovers

Click on each name to see how to get into the pose

Cobra / Upward Dog

Both in the top most used yoga positions

Puppy Pose

It’s a pretty relaxing backbend – if you’re a beginner, you can place a block underneath your chin. You want to shift your thoracic and your heart forward. Don’t cheat and rely on that lower back curve!

Downward Dog

A classic – because it teaches you to extend the spine by using the lower body

Deaf Man Pose

For built up tension in the neck and scapular / upper back

Fish Pose
This one is simply money for the heart and the spine. I modify it by placing a block or a dictionnary, or a towel underneath the heart as show in the video at 2:50min.
As you lie down into the pose, you can play with placing your arms over head, in a T shape, or by your sides.

Now remember, if you’re new to movement, there’s no point in forcing the body mindlessly into the pose. Take your time, play with your edge, and practice regularly. That’s what will help your spine. There is no quick fix when it comes to postural improvement. And obviously, remember to B R E AT H E !

Finally…

Learn to RELAX your body

As August Berger explains in this TedxTalk, we need to aim for minimal effort in our movement in order to find alignment and ease the tension within our body. 

I would add that as well as working on your physical release, you need to practice a mental and emotional one. Why not go back to episode 5  for a cheeky reminder? 

You want to have a free voice? To be heard? To never have to worry about losing your voice, running out of breath?

You have to do the work. There’s no too way about it. So give yourself the time every week, every day 

1. to play around with the breath like we did in episode 4 and 5.
2. to practice the semi-supine and physical awareness as explained in this week’s episode.
3. to include a movement and relaxation practice to your life. Just as a tight muscle is a useless and dangerous muscle, a stressed out mind is a danger to your body and yourself.

If you don’t know where to start, if you’re unsure of what it is you’re doing that’s affecting your voice, or if you have a history of chronic pain / injury…

Get in touch!

I know pain far too well, and if there’s anything I can do to show you how to avoid some of it, I gladly will.

Happy relaxation practice!