CAYLA BELLAMY, BASSOON
  • Home
  • Information
    • Biography
    • Events
    • SoundCraftEd
  • Gallery
    • Recordings
    • Press
    • New Music Advocacy
    • Method Books >
      • Daily Routine
      • Reed Making
  • Studio
    • Curriculum and Policies
    • Teaching Calendar
    • Lessons and Masterclasses
    • Colorado State University
  • Resources
    • Audition Preparation
    • Workshops and Presentations
    • Transfer Workshops
    • For Educators >
      • Bassoon Techniques Introduction
      • Philosophy >
        • Priorities
        • Fingering Logic
      • Fundamentals >
        • Assembly
        • Posture and Breathing
        • Articulation
        • Intonation
        • The Break
        • Vibrato
        • Daily Warm Ups
        • Contrabassoon
      • Reeds >
        • Characteristics
        • Diagnostics
        • Adjustments
        • Purchasing Resources
      • Equipment >
        • Recommendations
        • Cleaning
        • Minor Adjustments
        • Repair Resources
      • Fingering Chart
      • Summary
      • Continued Instruction
  • Storefront
  • Social
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
    • Contact Form

Blog

Postings arise as time permits
and inspiration hits. Contact me
to request a special topic!

On Powering Up

6/24/2013

7 Comments

 
After my most recent writing haitus, I struggled over choosing which topic would relaunch my blogging.  Many things come to mind (and will be passed to yours in due time) - I have stream of consciousness ramblings and vague outlines on teaching, focus and mindfulness, research, social media presence, and so on and so forth. I decided to blog on "powering up" because it has benefitted me very concretely in the past two weeks.

It all started here, with my summer foray into documentaries and TED Talks:
In case you don't have 20 minutes to watch a TED Talk (which I think you should set aside at least once a week), the organization summarizes it for you:
"Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see
ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” -- standing in
a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident -- can affect
testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on
our chances for success." - TED Global 2012
Wait a minute.  So you CAN actually fake it 'til you make it?

The concept is quite simple, actually.  Holding your body in a wider, more expansive, "high power" pose sends the message to your brain that you are, in fact, high power.  Biologically, the claim is that testosterone levels rise and cortisol ones fall, thus increasing your subconscious expectation of success and your natural propensity for risk-taking (or bravery-requiring) behaviors.  Additionally, you send the the nonverbal message that you are strong and confident, despite how you may feel in actuality.

I was intrigued enough to try this a little over a week ago, immediately before performing the Mozart Concerto with the lovely Henry Cheng and IU Ad-Hoc Orchestra, to whom I am continually thankful.  Despite my immense self-consciousness, I stood backstage for a solid minute like this:
Picture
No, I was not wearing that costume.
I was amazed at how well it worked!  I felt physically stronger, my weight was more even distributed between my feet, my legs and hips were more grounded, my inhalations flowed deeper into my abdomen, my shoulders fell back and down naturally.  As much as I was ever going to in that moment, I felt pretty Wonder Woman-y.

Now, I am not advocating imagining yourself as a superhero as a method for technical improvement.  Ultimately, if you can be as collected, self-assured, and in the moment as possible while performing, you are more likely to replicate how you present the music in a stress-free environment.  And superheros, at least according to my observations, cope with stress exceptionally well.

Amy Cuddy (afore-referenced TED Talker and Harvard business professor) presents this as applicable in job interviews and presentations.  I vote for performance settings such as recitals or auditions.  The opportunities are quite wide ranging, though. Give it a shot, and I would love to know what you experience.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Power up and go be super!
7 Comments
payday loans link
10/9/2013 11:59:45 pm

Happiness is the sense that one matters.

Reply
Best Advertising Agency in Chennai link
11/17/2020 03:20:09 am

Now Book your Outdoor Ads and Display Ads by all types of Outdoor through Eumaxindia Advertising Agency in Chennai

Reply
Turmeric Powder in Chennai link
1/11/2021 10:21:54 am

Yes might be interesting too!

Reply
DFK Wisconsin link
1/29/2021 12:12:04 am

Very creative posst

Reply
Lowell Custom Closets link
7/1/2022 03:27:30 pm

Interesting thoughts, I really enjoyed your blog.

Reply
Vikrant link
5/30/2023 06:44:54 am

Thanks for the sharing informative article.

Reply
Women Seeking Men Las Vegas link
5/6/2024 12:21:10 am

Thank you for sharinng

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    April 2020
    November 2018
    August 2018
    September 2017
    January 2016
    August 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Auditions
    Collaboration
    Goal Setting
    Lessons
    Performance
    Practice
    Psychology

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Information
    • Biography
    • Events
    • SoundCraftEd
  • Gallery
    • Recordings
    • Press
    • New Music Advocacy
    • Method Books >
      • Daily Routine
      • Reed Making
  • Studio
    • Curriculum and Policies
    • Teaching Calendar
    • Lessons and Masterclasses
    • Colorado State University
  • Resources
    • Audition Preparation
    • Workshops and Presentations
    • Transfer Workshops
    • For Educators >
      • Bassoon Techniques Introduction
      • Philosophy >
        • Priorities
        • Fingering Logic
      • Fundamentals >
        • Assembly
        • Posture and Breathing
        • Articulation
        • Intonation
        • The Break
        • Vibrato
        • Daily Warm Ups
        • Contrabassoon
      • Reeds >
        • Characteristics
        • Diagnostics
        • Adjustments
        • Purchasing Resources
      • Equipment >
        • Recommendations
        • Cleaning
        • Minor Adjustments
        • Repair Resources
      • Fingering Chart
      • Summary
      • Continued Instruction
  • Storefront
  • Social
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
    • Contact Form