07/31/2025
Thinking about how I coordinate my arms with the rest of my body in practicing & other activities is a constant source of exploration & discovery.
If you’re like me, you may notice a habit of sending your shoulders back when your arms move forward or up in space. When I do this with my flute, it almost looks like “good” posture because so many people play this way, with an arched, extended back.
What might not be as obvious is that in sending just my shoulders back, I create an imbalance in my torso that causes me to push my hips forward to stay vertical . Interfering with our torsos is a sure fire way to restrict breathing - & performers & humans simply don’t have time for that!
Next time you lift your arms, with or without your flute/phone/coffee/etc:
🙋Slow the movement down & see if you can invite your whole back, from pelvis through shoulders, to provide gentle counterbalance.
🙋Check in with your breathing so you can notice any moment when your breath becomes more restricted - a great clue you’re losing the coordination of your back.
🙋Think about your whole arm participating in the move, from sterno-clavicular joints to fingertips, so that you don’t get stuck in your shoulders.
🙋Let energy & support for arm movement come up from the floor through your feet, legs, sitting bones, & back.
🙋And, let your head bobble easily on your free neck!
What happens when you practice the flute (or any other everyday activity) with clear coordination between your arms & back?
