By Ramona M. Wis I have to admit, I am feeling the heat. Virtual rehearsal planning. Technology. Pandemic updates. Constant communication. Summer heat. Conductors are tough folks—we know what it’s like to feel the heat and find ways to get through it. Though “no pain, no gain” is usually considered an athlete’s mantra, musicians live this, as well. Usually the […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Still the Mind Chatter
By Ramona M. Wis Last week, we looked at the importance of “making space” if we want something new, presumably better, to enter our lives. By releasing pursuits, ideas, or habits that no longer serve us, we make space to move forward to new opportunities, insight, or energy. To some degree, this release requires detaching from the […]
The Conductor as Yogi: From Holding Space to Making Space
By Ramona M. Wis The first time I heard the phrase “holding space” was from a colleague describing her experience with someone going through a tough time. “I just held space for her,” she said. It was a phrase I was not familiar with but soon started seeing everywhere (or maybe it was just “blue car syndrome,” […]
The Conductor as Yogi: What if I can’t meditate?
By Ramona M. Wis There are many ways to meditate that don’t look like Meditation. Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga have existed for thousands of years, useful tools for a life best-lived. More and more, in our modern world, these practices have come to the forefront as important, even necessary, means toward physical and mental wellness, for […]
The Conductor as Yogi: Living Our Namaste
By Ramona M. Wis If you have ever been to a yoga class, you know that it closes by bringing one’s hands to heart center and saying “Namaste.” It’s a perfect way to end a time of shared space and practice but more than that, it’s a reminder to take what we experience on the mat, off the […]