Following on from posting about singing on Sunday, and all the encouragement I got (thank you!), I decided to have yet another go at doing something about it...
I tried using an ecstatic body posture. The one I used came from a book called "Ecstatic Trance Positions" by Belinda Gore (uk
, us
). I choose one that is in the section on transformational postures. It is called the Machalilla Posture as it follows the form of an urn found in Machalilla in western Ecuador. The posture is described well in the book and is one I've used before with other intents. The position is described as one that helps shift one's perspective - which seemed like what I needed to do.I listened to "Amazon Drumming To Journey By" by Kay Cordell Whitaker (us
). And I had the intent of finding my voice.As usual, for me, with these postures I just felt uncomfortable whilst holding it and didn't experience any kind of journey. (The book describes all sorts of wonderful daydreams that people have whilst in specific postures but I seem to only do that find of journey when I'm much more comfortable!)
But when I came back I found that something really has shifted. I can hear my voice in quite a different way and I've been laughing much more fully.
I felt sufficiently inspired that I went to my local charity bookshop and for the first time ever braved the basement where they keep music. There was a very friendly chap in there who was looking for trumpet music - he turned out to be a music teacher and he was encouraging too... I've come back and have been picking out various songs on our keyboard and singing along... (it does help that Jim is away at the moment...) and I've discovered the range within which my voice is most comfortable - somewhat lower than fits most of the music ;-)
I have also been going around singing for the fun of it - not songs just singing my thoughts and my voice sounds much better than I recall. Even my speaking voice sounds better to me.
Of course all of this is still whilst I'm on my own but even if this is all the improvement I can expect it is a wonderful step forward and I am daring to hope for more.
Wish me luck!
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16 comments:
Lovely flower, and lovely singing Im sure! How I wish I could hear you sing and play to your hearts content.
a.
Good luck -- and how did you make this?
Thanks Andrea - I may have overdone it as my voice has got a bit tired now... whoops... which is just like me... leaping in and doing just that bit more than I ought... when will I learn? No you don't need to answer that...
Andrea - how do you two manage to go round in a pack like this? Thanks for the luck and I used cloning brushes in Painter. I took the photo of the fritilary about this time last year in a water meadow that is full of them - but they are rather rare nowadays - but that meadow is one that has been managed without chemicals and allowed to stay wet...
Well I'm glad you found "sufficient" inspiration.
Miss Jay - well it took a lot more bravery than I'd ever shown before...
Wow, I'm glad to hear you're taking steps towards doing something really want to do!! Singing is terrifying to me, and I haven't the smallest clue. I vividly remember auditioning for a play at my gigantic highschool -- I wasn't trying for a singing role but everyone had to sing, dance and act. I tried to silly my way through it, knowing I couldn't actually sing, and the shame of that audition still lingers with me. (I didn't get a part.) If I was making a fantasy wish list of things that would be cool to do but aren't in my top 10 list, I would go to a singing camp for people with no musical talent! Anyway, good for you. I'm also trying to take concrete steps to address the things that came up in my Sunday Scribble.
Wow- you are fast, I read your Sunday Scribble, and now this- you are already making moves towards having what you really want.
Kudos. (and good luck)
I always like to see people develop new talents.
I don't know about that posture mumbo jumbo though ;)
Sounds like fun & since you asked for it: good luck ;)
Laini - thanks - I've had lots of fears and have always tackled them eventually - this one has just taken rather a long time to face... I'm not sure I'd like a singing camp like that I've been wondering about whether I should find such a teacher though... I think that first set of Sunday Scribblings was amazingly powerful you and Megg are doing a great job!
Krista - making moves that's a briliant way to put it!
Viking - you'd need to try them to understand, they are experiential ;-)
Kyknoord - thank you every drop helps and is appreciated!
Very interesting...something worth checking out. Thanks for the great post!
I half expecting to see Caroline floating past the window on her new wings, singing to her heart's content!
Joy Eliz - thank you!
Johnnynorms - you must have been looking the other way when I went by... ;-)
Caroline, I've been making the rounds this morning trying to catch up on everyones blog. Lovely spring bird but i especially love how you did this fritilary.
Hope you are still singing. I do my singing when no one is around. I cannot carry a tune but have a sister who can sing your socks off and my oldest son is a music teacher. Right now my husband is trying to teach himself to play guitar. It's coming along slowly but he is enjoying himself. So keep singing and playing just for the sheer joy of it. besides it will lift your spirits.
Posture and deep breathing does help, I have a friend who plays the piano and knows a lot about music.
My gal pal sings to heaven and back though she can't sing a note, but she doesn't give a hang. She was traumatised in school too, pointed out by the teacher. But she's a brazen gal.
Toni - I do love to sing and I may be imagining it but I feel I am improving. Not yet brave enough to have anyone listen though ;-)
GG - glad not everyone stops!
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