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What is Body Mapping?
Our Brain in Motion
As humans we map our interior space as well as our outer surroundings.
A body map is a conglomerate of cells on the surface of your brain which fire together to govern your movement. Neurophysiologists can track the arrangement of these cells and see that they are changeable. Your body map may be a little vague on detail or totally at odds with how your body is truly designed to move. Regardless, you will move 'as if' your map is true. When you re-educate yourself about your movement structures and function you bring your body map into harmony with the truth of that design. The result is that all your moving including your playing or singing becomes easier, more efficient and expressive.
For more on the science of body maps and the application to dystonia click here.
How will it help ?
If you presently are sustaining an injury due to your playing or feel discomfort associated with the activity of playing or singing then you are not alone. Take a look at the results of BMA's Pain & Discomfort Survey for Musicians. Body Mapping can show you how to move in ways that are fluid and without strain.
Meeting the demands of technique with an improved body map gives you freedom to access the full range of expressiveness enjoyed by great musicians and to play at your best with ease. For more about musicians and movement read this article Embodied Performance.
How do I learn this?
Body Mapping is taught in individual consultations and small groups. The method involves investigation with anatomical models and drawings, questioning and comparing one's own map with these images, palpating one's own bony structure to "embody" the information given, moving to make music with this new perspective and watching and analysing the movement demonstrated by great musicians. By building an accurate, detailed body map which can act as your primary resource in music-making, you will enjoy the flexibility and freedom to realise your potential in performance.