I had them at ‘River’

I taught a singing workshop to a group of seniors last week.

I watched them watch me in horror as I pulled out Therra stretchy bands, singing bowls, chimes and none other than a slinky out of my hippy straw basket.

I’m sure they were wondering if they excused themselves and went to the bathroom and then never came back if anyone would notice…but, they all stayed put.

With blank looks and weary sighs they listened.

They heard me talk about the body as an instrument for the voice.

They heard me ask them to breathe in and out of their throat and heart.

They heard me explain the nervous system and the normal feelings of anxiety around singing and expression.

They heard me ask them what they were feeling and noticing in their bodies.

And, as time marched on they began to trust me.

I had them close their eyes and visualize a river, which overtime had began to flow slower with all the debris and sticks and stones that had collected in it over the years.

I said this is your body and today we’re going to sing, breathe and feel in order to increase a little bit of this flow in your body river.

They enjoyed this thought. I knew in that moment that they would do everything I suggested, as strange as some of it might sound, in order to get more flow and energy.

I had them at River.