All posts by Gabriela

Body Mapping for percussionists/drummers!

Classes, Injuries, Percussion, Sin categoría, , , ,
Timpani and mallets photo.

The goal of the method of Body Mapping is to prevent pain, discomfort, and injuries in musicians through the understanding and exploration of the own body.

For 6 years I’ve been giving talks, workshops, and lessons about Body Mapping, it’s been great! But something that always has surprised me, is that I’ve only encountered a couple of percussionists interested in this approach. However, in the past I’ve known percussionists that had injuries: tired legs, back pain, tendinitis, ganglion cysts, etc. Some of them chose to go into surgery to alleviate their problem.

But, what if there is accurate information for finding ease in your body while playing?

I have chosen this time to talk about one of the main concerns for percussionists: the arms structure. This is not to say that they are not immune to different pains in other parts of the body!

When I was studying percussion in my undergrad, I had tendinitis in the forearm, which motivated me to search for different options. Ten years later I took the course, What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body (WEM). Understanding my movements when I play and experiencing how I could apply this in my practice, changed my life!

Are there percussionists interested in learning Body Mapping’s approach to heal and/or prevent these injuries and to enhance your playing?

You are welcome to attend the following talk!

Injuries in the lower arm: tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and others.

November 5th 2020 @ 3 pm Eastern Time

Anatomical model of the hand on top of several sticks and mallets.
  • If you ever had or have pain, tension, or discomfort in the forearms and wrists while playing any percussion instrument
  • If you are interested in preventing these injuries
  • Check out this approach!

In this 60 min. class led by Gabriela S, licensed Body Mapping Educator, you will understand the symptoms, causes, and remedies to deal with tension and pain in the forearms, wrists, and hands. We will cover some challenges in different instruments.

  • Identify your own beliefs and ideas about the movement of your arms, wrists and hands
  • Discover and experience the truth about how your arms move and find ease
  • Apply this information in your practice and playing!

For all percussionist of all levels and music genres!

When: November 5th 2020 @ 3 pm-4:15 pm Eastern Time

Where: Online-Zoom

Cost in USD: $20 / Students $15

Within Canada CAD: $20 / Students $15 ( e-transfer)

Questions and e-transfer to contact@bodymapstudio.com

Registration form

Pay here

Type of payment:

Musicians of all instruments, levels, and genres are welcome!

Body Mapping, Classes, Injuries, , ,

Prevent injuries, tension, and discomfort caused by playing music! Learn about the relationship between your body and your instrument!

  • Understand and experience how the body moves by following its natural design.
  • Identify your own patterns of movement and learn how to transform them for playing free of tension.
  • Discover the benefits of being aware of your body!

We will explore:

Morning session: Continue reading Musicians of all instruments, levels, and genres are welcome! →

I Have Wide Experience in Performing, Performing Fragmented

Injuries, Inspiration, , , , ,
The body is the medium to create sound and for some of us it’s the vessel and the beginning of everything.
Gabriela playing a snare drum solo.

 PART 1

A Fragmented Body

At the beginning I didn’t have awareness in my body.

I learned to play from watching movements and copying them. I practiced for hours, days, months, and years. Most of the time it worked, but not always.

My illusion was that if I matched all those movements and performed them, I was going to play correctly. Faithful to my ideas, I didn’t question and I followed the instructions.

Early in my studies I started having some pain and later I was labeled as a musician with tendonitis. Continue reading I Have Wide Experience in Performing, Performing Fragmented →

How Does Your Body React When You’re Stressed in a Music Setting?

Awareness, , , , , , ,

Cat's face expression of surprise

There are numerous stories in our journey of music making. Some of them make us feel complete and encourage us to keep going and enjoy our music. However, there are also times when we face situations that make us believe that we are not talented (“enough”) and lose our confidence.

If you want to know how these experiences feel in your body, try the next exercise!

Continue reading How Does Your Body React When You’re Stressed in a Music Setting? →

Are percussionists the freest instrumentalists?

Percussion, , , , , , , ,

Drummer playing

Barbara and William Conable, who are Alexander Technique teachers and developers of Body Mapping, are the authors of How to Learn the Alexander Technique: A manual for students. They explain common misperceptions in the body that musicians have that cause them tension. The part for percussionists says: Continue reading Are percussionists the freest instrumentalists? →