Feldenkrais for Musicians

Somatic Musicians’ Lab

Every Monday 10:00 - 11:00am ET

so·mat·ic (adjective): relating to the living organism in its wholeness

You’re invited to try out your first session for free! Email Eve Boltax for the zoom invitation.

These ongoing weekly sessions are an online space for experienced musicians to prime their musical practice with the Feldenkrais Method®. These sessions aim to boost musicians’ awareness and attention as well as foster curiosity, freedom, and expression in their music-making. Each session consists of a mini Feldenkrais® movement snack, individual musical practice time, and a short period of group reflection. The lab will also include guest presenters once a month to share their personal application of Feldenkrais to performing and teaching music.

During my Feldenkrais training, I found that if I practiced Feldenkrais before practicing my instrument, my music making was of a higher quality.  When the pandemic hit in Spring of 2020 I organized a weekly group called Practice Time which evolved into the Somatic Musicians’ Lab . We met weekly for many months and the group was made up of a small and dedicated core who found that the time together was vital to our wellbeing. After a long hiatus, we are back to rebooting the Somatic Musicians’ Lab.

The lab is open to experienced musicians of all backgrounds. If you are experiencing an acute injury or condition, you may perhaps benefit from the lab, but improving specific injuries will not be emphasized in the teaching. The Somatic Musicians’ Lab is different from receiving individual lessons in the Feldenkrais Method to address your specific difficulties. If you are wondering if the lab is right for you, please reach out to me directly: eve@feldenkraisjamaicaplain.com

The cost to join the lab is $30 per month. By registering, you are signing up for a recurring membership that will automatically bill your credit card monthly. Access is a key value and if the cost is the barrier, please reach out to me individually. Joining the lab means you gain access to the weekly Somatic Musicians’ Lab zoom meetings on Mondays at 10:00-11:00am EST and any supplemental events.

“I have practiced Feldenkrais Method off and on with Eve Boltax for several years now, both privately and in group settings, and have consistently walked away from sessions with impactful insights around where my body can experience more release, work less, observe more, and how I might incorporate these insights into a healthier, more aware daily practice on my instrument. 

As a violist I have to remain constantly vigilant about my posture in order to avoid injury (not to mention deepening my sound production), and have taken great lengths to educate myself on a natural approach to the instrument through study of Alexander Technique and Tuttle Coordination. Until my work with Eve, I had wrongly assumed Feldenkrais would be “more of the same”. Her guidance through particular movements and mobility exercises combined with thoughtful questioning and encouraged self-reflection has been a wholly different experience for me. 

I find that Feldenkrais Method sessions with Eve often start with a stillness that allows for an almost meditative examination of my body once movement is introduced. In this state, and in the reflection I have described, I am able to investigate and brainstorm causes of the sensations I’m experiencing, and come to my own conclusions around what part of my body may be in misuse, or how I can encourage building habits around healthier use of a given part of my anatomy. In this way it feels very much the opposite of a prescriptive practice, and is filled with self-discovery that is gently guided by Eve. 

Recently I have joined the Somatic Musicians’ Lab, which meets virtually on Wednesday mornings for an hour, as a way to keep this practice in my life. In addition to the experiences with Eve that I have outlined, I find it quite valuable to hear feedback from the other participants of the lab around what emotions or realizations surfaced during the session. The variation of interpretation and application of these individual lessons is something I happily ruminate on all week until the next session.”

— Sam Kelder, professional violist

“Musicians of the world! Feeling uninspired to practice lately for some odd reason? Or, are you just curious about something that could really change how you practice, or your relationship to practicing, for the better? Think about joining this weekly meeting, led by my dear friend Eve Boltax. She's doing beautiful work.”

— Jake Shulman-Ment, violinist and Feldenkrais practitioner

“The Somatic Musicians' Lab can revolutionize your practice hour. Develop deeper body awareness, increase mindfulness, and reduce your mental clutter under Eve Boltax's masterful guidance. I've experienced a renewed joy, ease, and focus in my practice sessions – as well as the vital accountability that keeps me working, whether or not performances are on the immediate calendar. You need this. Thank you, Eve!!”

— Dr. David Wallace, Chair, Berklee String Department; Author Engaging the Concert Audience: A Musician's Guide to Interactive Performance.