Body Freedom for Musicians
An Introduction to the Alexander Technique & Body Mapping
A 4-Part Online Intensive Course
December 27th & 28th; January 3rd & 4th
Tuition: $300
Register Now
Dear Fellow Musician and/or Music Educator,
Greetings!
My name is Peter Jacobson and I’m the founder and director of The Mind Body Music School.
I recently received an email from a musician interested in one of our programs that said:
“I am currently taking Alexander Technique lessons, but the emphasis is not on using the techniques for singing or playing. So far this Alexander Technique instructor has not shown how the techniques can help me in my music.”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard some version of this over the years.
This course is different. From the very first lesson, you’ll learn how to practically apply the Alexander Technique and Body Mapping to improve your music-making.
I welcome all musicians – vocalists AND instrumentalists – and music educators to join me on this course.
It would be my joy and honor to share this work that I love so much with you.
In Music,
Peter Jacobson
Founder & Director
The Mind Body Music School
PS – We'll be offering up to six 50% need-based scholarships for this course. Please email me directly to request a scholarship application.
A Practical Course for Musicians
This course will introduce you to the core principles of the Alexander Technique and Body Mapping and their practical application to the various activities and situations that make up a musician's life. Things like:
- Playing an instrument – how to play without excess tension and with freedom and ease
- Singing – how to organize your body for optimal resonance and vocal quality
- Sitting & Standing – discover how to find a dynamic source of support in any position
- Breathing – learn how to breathe well (even if you're not a musician that moves air to make sound)
- Walking – learn how to walk more efficiently (especially when having to carry a heavy instrument or backpack)
- Practicing – useful ideas that encourage self-care in your daily practice
- Rehearsing – how to feel more comfortable in long, stressful rehearsals
- Performing – practical ways to approach performance anxiety, stage presence and communicating with an audience
Acquire a whole new set of tools to solve body problems and make better music.
This course is for you if...
- You are eager to learn more about your body's design and optimal functioning
- You are curious to learn more about the fields of Alexander Technique & Body Mapping and their application to music making
- You are struggling with pain, tension or anxiety (in performance or generally speaking)
- You are recovering from physical or psychological injury
- You are interested in learning a proven process of growth and change
- You are seeking an educational opportunity that prioritizes health, well-being and wholeness
This course will address ideas and concepts that are universal to all human beings. Therefore, musicians and music educators of any style, background or ability will benefit from the material.
What You'll Learn
Class 1
In this class we will explore:
- Wholeness – The Human Self as the Primary Instrument
- Articulating Desire – How Bodies Organize Around Intention
- Body Mapping – Axial Skeleton, Part 1: The Head & The Spine
- Activities – Standing, Balancing, Reading Music
Class 2
In this class we will explore:
- Inviting Coordination –Organizing the Head-Spine Relationship
- Constructive Planning –How to Think in Musical Activity
- Body Mapping – Axial Skeleton, Part 2: The Ribs, Pelvis & Jaw
- Activities – Sitting, Breathing, Vocalizing, Computer/Desk Work
Class 3
In this class we will explore:
- How Senses Work – The Omnisensory Circus
- Practicing – Applying the 4 CELT Practices to Learning
- Body Mapping – Appendicular Skeleton, Part 1: The Arms & Hands
- Activities – Playing an Instrument, Practicing, Holding Music
Class 4
In this class we will explore:
- Performing – How to Skillfully & Confidently Engage with an Audience
- Body Mapping – Appendicular Skeleton, Part 2: The Legs & Feet
- Activities – Walking, Practicing/Rehearsing, Performing
- Next Steps in Your Alexander Technique & Body Mapping Journey
🎉 3 Bonus Classes 🎉
Your tuition includes these three additional classes (valued at $100).
How to Walk, Sit & Stand with Comfort & Joy
Recording Available Now!
The vast majority of our lives are spent walking, sitting and standing. In this class you'll learn some simple yet powerful ideas that will allow you to feel more comfortable, free and easy in these three life activities. A class recording will be available.
Special Workshop with Guest Teacher Greg Holdaway
Recording Available Now!
Every month, we invite a guest teacher to teach a workshop for MBMS Academy members only. For our December workshop, we've invited Greg Holdaway, a master Alexander teacher with decades of teaching experience. In this workshop, you'll some basic whole body warmups, learn about Greg's 3-part approach to the Alexander Technique and watch him work with volunteer individuals on their playing or singing. A class recording will be available.
Modern Pain Science for Musicians with Guest Teacher Mari Hodges
Friday, January 24th, 2025 @ 2-4pm central/3-5pm eastern
Learn about the latest findings in pain science research and how it can help you manage and relieve your pain, whether it's music related or not. This class will be taught by Mari Hodges, an Alexander Technique teacher, amateur violinist and pain science specialist. A class recording will be available.
Get the freedom, joy and comfort
back in your music making.
Class Schedule
Class Dates
- Class 1: Friday, December 27th, 2024
- Class 2: Saturday, December 28th, 2024
- Class 3: Friday, January 3rd, 2025
- Class 4: Saturday, January 4th, 2025
Class Times
- 10am-12pm central time | 11am-1pm eastern time | 4pm-6pm UK time (convert to your local time zone)
Other Things to Know
- All instruction will take place online via Zoom.
- All learning will be experiential and practical so come ready to explore!
- It’s ideal if you can participate in the classes live but if you have to miss a few classes you can always watch them on replay.
- You will be able to download all class recordings and materials.
Your Course Instructor
This course will be taught by MBMS Founder & Director Peter Jacobson.
Peter has spent 10 years and thousands of hours teaching Alexander Technique and Body Mapping to musicians and music educators.
You can read more about Peter here.
Student Testimonials
“Your course on the Alexander Technique exceeded my expectations!!”
"The pace, the content, the delivery, the practical application without being there, the warmth, the professionalism….I could go on and on!! I looked forward to class each day and only had to miss two of them. I had only dabbled a bit in the Alexander Technique and this course was so very timely for me. Everything you taught was of use to me and I believe the big “ah ha’s” were the precise body mapping and how EVERYTHING works together all of the time. I knew bits and pieces of anatomy but certainly not to this degree. The third week of the course was especially good because of the application. Such a well designed course and the price was such a deal for all of us!! My hope is to attend a conference LIVE one day soon and continue exploring. I cannot think of anything to improve the course that you offered…just excellent!!”
Molly Huffman – Conductor & Singer
“My experience in the course was very positive…”
"I feel very fortunate to have discovered this course in time to join. I had been looking for some type of professional development class, and had anticipated that it would have been more oriented to pedagogical topics. I was thrilled to find an introduction to the Alexander Technique, that was so immediately accessible and applicable to my singing, teaching and general well-being.”
Rachel Stoddard – Singer & Voice Teacher
“I loved the conversation about YES plans.…"
"I feel it can be so easy for us, as people, to be so critical of ourselves. We can spend so much time focusing on what we don't want, what we don't like and what isn't good enough. By spending more time focusing on body awareness and allowing our body and mind to align with the YES in us, it resets a negative focus. It allows us to be one with ourselves. Having the opportunity to take this class brought me back to connecting with the oneness in me. I always felt much more centered, relaxed, and joyfully aware after every class. Thank You for this class. I know all of these tools will make me a better teacher and performer.”
Molly Rahe-Randall – Violinist & Voice Teacher
“I was expecting to learn about body posture and alignment techniques in this course, but it offered so much more than that!”
"The course brought together a community of both singers and teachers in an affirming way to not only learn about how the body functions as a whole and how the every part of the body works together to support the movement of singing but how the mere act of thinking in a positive way can free up your singing! I finished each class feeling energized and excited put each nugget of information we received to use.”
Margot Hamilton – Voice Teacher
“The human body is the most complex, refined and harmonious totality.”
–John O'Donohue, Irish Poet & Writer
What exactly is this course?
What is the Alexander Technique?
What is Body Mapping?
When are the classes and how do they work?
What specific problems and issues will be addressed in this course?
How long will I have access to the materials?
Will I get a certificate of completion?
What if I have other questions?
Tuition & Registration
Body Freedom for Musicians
A 4-Class Online Introductory Course
$300
Your tuition includes:
REGISTER NOW