Hey First name / friend, Ever have a thought that just nags and nags? Or catch yourself saying something like “I'm so stressed” for like, the 100th time of the day and think, “Why am I doing that?!?!” |
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We get into thought loops and create realities in our mind. “It's scary. I'm stressed. I can't do it. Why isn't it different?” The more you repeat these things, the easier they are to believe and the harder they are to intercept. So, we've got a little exercise for you today. Do you have a thought in mind that nags you? Go ahead - one more second to think of it. Now, ask yourself: who would I be without that thought? The question isn't if your thought is true. The question is, who would you be without that thought? Not sure about for you, but for us, the answer can be the most joyous discovery. Lighter. More patient. Happier. Relieved. This time of year can be thorny. We see the sleepiness in our students eyes, the desperate yearning for the break that is so close yet too far to grasp! Here are a few stress-relieving tips that we will be using this week. Because we'd be lying if we said our lives weren't full at the moment, and feeling like they were on the brink of chaos at peak moments of tension! - Remember how far you've come. Us classical musicians have a tendency to plow ahead and forget the incredible things we've accomplished, the road we've built to get to this moment. You've already done so much.
- Perspective. Yes, it's true you may be facing a lot of stress at the moment. But how can you put it in perspective? Will it really be the end of the world if you don't get another hour of practice in? Will it really be a disaster if you wait another 12 hours to respond to that email? Most likely, no!
- Tiny steps at a time. It's okay to feel scattered and overwhelmed. Do 5 minutes of a task and try to find a bit of relief. Move on to the next thing, and do 5 minutes of that. Don't put sky-high expectations on yourself. It may not be pretty, but, you can absolutely make your way through this!
- Know what you need. Seriously. A walk, a deep breath, a moment of silence, a glass of water. (Yeah, everyone go drink some water!)
And if you're saying “I'm stressed”, ask yourself… who would I be without this thought? ❤️ Much love, always. Ixi & Tiffany |
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MISS THE LAST FEW EMAILS? 3-DAY PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE FREE CLASS TOMORROW, 12/7 @ 6pm ET |
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Jeffrey Zeigler is one of the most innovative and versatile cellists of our time. He has been described as “fiery”, and a player who performs “with unforced simplicity and beauty of tone” by the New York Times. Acclaimed for his independent streak, Zeigler has commissioned dozens of works, and is admired as a potent collaborator and unique improviser. As a former member of the Kronos Quartet, he is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, the Polar Music Prize, the President’s Merit Award from the National Academy of Recorded Arts (Grammy’s), the Chamber Music America National Service Award and The Asia Society's Cultural Achievement Award. Join us for what will be an inspirational conversation with Zeigler about his path, the contemporary music scene, and the skills you need to thrive. |
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