In these workshops you will:

• Learn the physical aspects of playing a Native American style flute
• Experience playing music from your heart – on your own and along with others.
• Internalize fundamental aspects of musical composition, feeling/hearing/understanding the “ground” note and another important related note.
• Improve listening skills
• Experience moments of calm

Guiding Principles

• Meditation helps us slow down, allowing an observing mind to be present.
• Observing without evaluating – a very high form of human intelligence and an opening for creativity.
• We spend time deeply experiencing the “ground” and then move from there to other touchstones;  creating moments of tension and release.
• Encourage yourself to play when you have the urge/need/desire.  Listen for that desire throughout your day:     “Toco cuando me pica la mano”

Other advantages of meditation (and most likely, meditative flute-playing)

• exact of opposite of fight/flight response
• breathing slows, blood pressure decreases, stress hormone levels fall
• improved connections in brain
• deep rest in an alert state
• open learning state – child-like, non-judging
• quieting of the mind, we can hear music more fully

Studies have shown the following benefits of regular meditation:

• decreased hypertension and heart disease
• decreased anxiety
• decreased depression
• increased immune system function
• greater ease in giving up or avoiding addictive behaviors
• increased pituitary gland release of growth hormone (anti-aging hormone)
• decreased adrenal gland production of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol

copyright esalexander 2007