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Level I Performance Wellness Training
This training is designed to offer performers, educators, and therapists a deeper understanding of the implications of stress in performance, as well as practical tools for allowing the body-mind to become a more resilient "instrument" in the face of stressful situations.
Offered as part of a Three-Level Certificate Training, the program evolved out of 15 years of clinical practice and research at NYU on the use of an integrative music therapy approach to treating and preventing performance-related disorders in musicians. The uniqueness of this approach revolves around the use of music itself as a self-reflecting, transformational tool in dealing with the underlying causes of performance stress. Through engaging in a number of music-based processes which include improvisation, role-playing, and imagery exercises, participants will be guided in awakening their Essential Musical Intelligence (the universal healing essence expressed through music/sound) to achieve balance and harmony in life and in performance.
The seminar also provide training in body-mind awareness techniques (breathing, visualization, and meditation), cognitive restructuring, behavioral rehearsal, and specially-designed music-based processes that directly address key performance stress issues.
Overcoming Polarized Perfectionism
The polarized perfectionist operates from the premise that either "I'm the best" or "I'm nothing." This debilitating condition takes the joy out of performing, and is ubiquitous amongst performers and high achievers the world over. At the root of perfectionism is an acquired fear that something in us is missing, or not good enough. When in the grips of polarized perfectionism, we are driven by an overwhelming need to fill a void that feels dangerously empty - the great unknown of our essential selves. This workshop offers 21 clinically tested techniques to help you identify and transform the limitations of polarized perfectionism and reconnect with your essential self, which is and always has been perfect.
The Yoga of Performance
This seminar is specially designed for yoga practitioners who want to maximize their potential as performing artists. Through participating in a number of yoga-based practices, along with clinically-proven techniques from the fields of behavioral medicine and creative arts therapy, you will learn to overcome fear and embrace the joy of giving your gift to others. The seminar is ideal for musicians, singers, dancers, actors, and public speakers of all levels. Please bring comfortable clothes and musical instruments if you so desire.
Finding Your Voice: The Healing Power of Music and Poetry
This workshop will guide you to awaken and express the voice of truth within. Through a serious of playful, yet profound music and writing exercises, you will commune with your muse and allow new insights, feelings, memories, and visions to emerge in poetic form. You will then be asked (but not required) to share your poem with the group. Participants will improvise music as the poems are being read to support the writer and accentuate the emotional/visual/kinesthetic content. No music or poetry background necessary. All are welcome.
Discovering Your Essential Musical Intelligence (EMI)
EMI is your innate ability to use music and sound as self-reflecting, transformational tools to facilitate health and healing on all levels of being. Through participating in a number of innovative practices including musical improvisation, singing, deep listening, and yoga-based mind-body awareness exercises, you will learn to use the alchemical power of EMI to instantly transform maladaptive stress reactions into dynamic energy for creative change.
Balancing the Chakras Through Music
The chakras represent different "theaters" where we enact the dramas of our lives. At each chakra level there are certain physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that we need to resolve in order to move to the next higher level. Music is a powerful tool for exploring and transforming these challenges. In this class you will learn an innovative method based on the Ayurvedic five element theory for using music and sound to balance, harmonize, and integrate chakra energies leading to radiant health and wholeness. Participants are led through a playful yet systematic exploration of the chakras using musical improvisation, song writing, guided imagery, and toning. You will also learn an innovative method for choosing music that is right for your energetic makeup.
Music and Health
A workshop focusing on the use of music to increase life energy and foster creativity in daily life. The workshop will including breathing, toning, and listening exercises; singing and chanting; and learning how to choose music for healing using the Ayurvedic five- element theory.
The Musical Diet
For most people, emotional issues are at the root of compulsive eating and other food-related disorders. Come join us for this informative and playful workshop on using music and sound to harmonize and balance emotions. Through participating in a number of gentle music and yoga-based exercises, you will learn to deepen your ability to listen to your body, safely express emotions through creative musical play, and soothe your nervous system through intentional sound work. Please bring a favorite song to share.
Music, Sound, and Yoga
This workshop offers a number of innovative and playful music and sound-based techniques to help you in deepening your yoga practice and experiencing more joy and freedom in daily life. To begin, you will learn how to deeply relax your body and mind through the practice of music meditation. You will then explore the connection between your feet, pelvis, and neck/throat area through intentional sound making (toning). The use of toning will then be demonstrated as a powerful tool for exploring and releasing the pain, tension, and stiffness associated with certain yoga poses. We will conclude the workshop with a chanting session to invigorate the body-mind and open the heart. No previous musical training necessary. Please wear comfortable clothing.
Musical Tantra: Your Path to Wholeness
At the root of all pain and alienation in life lies our inability to fully embrace our dual nature: the good and bad, the human and divine, feminine and masculine. Music has an uncanny ability to hold these opposing forces together, offering us the experience of emotional integration and wholeness. Musical Tantra is the yoga of reuniting duality, of restoring to oneness that which is separate. The result is an ecstatic experience of unity with ourselves, our partners, and the universe. In this workshop, you will be guided in using the alchemical power of music, sound, and breath to explore and transform unresolved polarities within the self. Masculine vs. feminine, life vs. death, and courage vs. fear are just a few of the polarities that will be addressed through the creative process of musical improvisation, songwriting, soundmaking, role playing, and psychodrama.
Opening to Abundance
This workshop offers several yoga-inspired techniques for opening the doors to increased abundance and prosperity in life. In addition to learning deep relaxation and focusing exercises, you will explore your relationship with your own creative self and learn to activate the Giving-and-Receiving Feedback Loop which energizes the creative process and allows you to attract abundance in all areas of your life. The workshop also includes visualization exercises and powerful techniques for using music and sound to manifest your heart's desires.
Sacred Music, Sacred Heart
Music lifts us out of the thought of illness and into the realm of unlimited possibilities for healing. In this workshop you will learn to awaken your Essential Musical Intelligence - the innate ability to use music as a self-reflecting, transformational tool to heal the vulnerable heart - through deep listening, intentional sound-making, spontaneous singing and chanting. Music truly is the Sacred Link that can open and heal our wounded hearts, leading us to greater levels of understanding, compassion, love, and infinite peace.
Self Transformation Through Music and Sound (The Sound of Healing)
From time immemorial, intentional music and sound making have been used to heal and integrate body, mind, and spirit. In this class you will be guided on a systematic musical journey where you will engage in a series of clinically-proven music and sound-based techniques that will help you to energize and heal the physical body, safely explore and transform difficult emotions, enhance intuition and creativity, playfully work through relationship issues, and deepen your spirituality. Special focus will be given to the systematic use of music and sound to balance the five elements, chanting and toning (therapeutic sound-making) for health and healing, and the use of music to cure insomnia, raise immunity, transform pain and stress, and induce medical anesthesia.
Sing Your Way to Health and Healing
Singing can help you to reduce stress, increase immunity, and awaken joy. Come and learn a variety of techniques for using your voice to facilitate health and healing in daily life. Explore a variety of methods to deepen your breath capacity, learn beginning vocal technique, and heighten personal expression. This workshop is open to anyone who loves to sing, even if it's just in the shower.
Dynamic Music Healing: Chakra Balancing Through Music and Sound
Transform chronic pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue through exploring the dynamic relationship between music, sound and the chakras. The chakras (energy centers within) represent different "theaters" where we enact the dramas of our lives. Each chakra "holds" certain physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that we must clear and harmonize in order to move to the next higher level. In this class, Dr. Louise Montello will lead you through a playful, systematic exploration of the chakras using musical improvisation, song-writing, guided imagery, and sound work. You will learn an innovative method for selecting music to balance, harmonize, and integrate chakra energies leading to radiant health and wholeness. Feel free to bring instruments. Absolutely no musical training required.
Auditioning Rocks!
Learn cutting-edge tools to instantly transform stage fright into stage presence. This workshop will teach you the six steps to acing your next music, dance, modeling or acting audition - physical grounding, mental clarity, emotional intelligence, engaging the auditioners (i.e. activating the giving-and-receiving feedback loop), and knowing your true purpose as a performer. This workshop is guaranteed to increase your self-confidence and mastery in all audition situations.
When Perfectionism Fails You
This workshop helps you to pinpoint the perfectionistic habits that get in the way of your experiencing joy, mastery, and success in your chosen art form. Based on years of clinical research, Dr. Montello offers an innovative program for deconstructing limiting perfectionistic habits and unleashing deeper levels of originality, spontaneity, confidence, and trust in yourself and others. Use your own music, movement, poetry, and dramatic enactments to re-awaken your original motivation to perform and learn to share your talents without fear, guilt, or shame.
Please call 212-529-9737 or email info@performancewellness.org for dates, times, fees for each seminar, and if your organization would like to offer one of Dr. Montello's seminars.