Overcome the physical, mental, and emotional blocks stifling your musicianship

Benefits:

• Overcome fears, insecurities, mean self-talk, perfectionism, and past musical traumas

• Experience greater connection, authenticity, inspiration, and joy in your musical life

• Learn ways of playing and practicing your instrument that create greater ease, better sound, and quicker results

• Overcome performance anxiety and learn to thrive on stage

• Learn to navigate the challenges and stresses of being a professional (or non-professional) musician

• Focus on a specific musical project and receive support every step of the way

To support you I draw upon tools from:

Internal Family Systems/Somatic Experiencing®:

Often our biggest musical challenges involve past traumas. Perhaps you were told you don’t have what it takes to be a great musician. Perhaps you had a music teacher that left you with scars at some point. Or perhaps you had a traumatic show once that has left deep wounds inside of you. These traumas can lead to all sorts of physical, mental, or emotional challenges. IFS and Somatic Experiencing® help you to access and heal these traumas so that they are no longer impeding your musicianship.

The Alexander Technique:

Most of us have learned to use our bodies very inefficiently to play our instruments. Most of us are not taught how to play with awareness of minimizing excess tension, and so very frequently we develop physical habits that interfere with our playing and may even lead to injury. The Alexander Technique is a method for training more optimal physical habits. In session, you will learn ways of helping your body release the excess tension it is holding onto, allowing a much greater sense of freedom and ease in your playing.

Mindful Self-Compassion:

Many of us as musicians are our own worst critics. We can be deeply perfectionistic and extremely hard on ourselves. This can lead to feelings of low self worth and terrorizing internal voices of mean self-talk. We may feel we’ll never be good enough, or that their is something wrong with us as musicians. Many of us even feel that we have to ceaselessly drive ourselves on in this way if we are to excel as musicians. But research has shown that people who are able to be more compassionate with themselves actually end up going farther than those who are constantly berating themselves. Mindful Self-Compassion is designed to help you learn to be kinder and more compassionate with yourself.

What do sessions look like?

Sessions are uniquely tailored based on the aspirations and challenges of each client.

Private sessions are 1 hour in length and are taught via Zoom.

Good quality internet connection is required.

How enrollment works:

1. Complete a 20 minute consultation phone/Skype/Zoom call to see if we are a good match for working together.

2. Complete an introductory session where you will have a direct experience of the process and we can determine the best way to move forward.

   
   Currently sessions are 1 hour long at at rate of $180 per session.

Credentials

I have a masters degree in mental health counseling and have completed an AmSAT certification training in the Alexander Technique. I also have completed trainings in Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing® trauma work, and Mindful Self-Compassion.

I have worked with musicians for over a decade and personally I’ve had to to work through many physical, mental, and emotional challenges as a musician including debilitating chronic wrist pain induced by guitar playing. I’ve been pain free for many years now. 

*To read more about my journey through chronic pain, see the Jack’s Story page.

I have also extensively studied meditation and mindfulness and its effects on musicianship. I have taught meditation to people of all ages.

Chris Ball - Performing Artist

Melbourne, Australia