How Do You Want to BE?

As I wait to pick up my fuzzy love from the vet, I am pondering the things I most enjoy in life.  Some people do not value pets, and that's fine for them.  I, however, love a fuzzy creature sharing my home and looking at me with both curiosity and love.  His little purring sounds of pleasure remind me how simple giving and touch can be soothing and appreciated.  Plus, when he jumps up onto anything, he makes this trilling sound announcing his action - which cracks me up.  Stinky will also make that sound when we're walking by him to make sure we don't step on him.  He's learned to help us humans who do not always look where we step to NOT step on him.

All of that got me thinking about how I exist in the world and my choices around how I encourage other people to interact with me, how I go about letting other people know I'm in the room, and how I show other people appreciation.  I don't think I'll be rubbing up against colleagues or friends soon in affection, but I do enjoy hugging my friends or shaking hands if they're not "huggy" people. 

Many friends might be surprised to realize I'm actually an introvert - which means lots of time in a room with lots of people is not my preferred way to be.  When I'm in that position, I'm great at connecting with people - and it wears me out.  I prefer one on one or small groups so I can easily feel included and include others in companionship.

My favorite way to show appreciation to people is giving my friends things from my garden.  I love gifting people with oranges, flowers, lavender, rosemary, mint, French sorrel, and whatever else the earth is gifting me.  Sharing like that makes me feel like I am personally contributing to my friends sensual pleasure as well as nurturing through nutrition.  If you don't know what you do, think of your favorite gifts (can even be cards or words!) that someone has given you in thanks.  You might consider adopting that idea and practicing it in your own life!  Have a great day!!!

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

I CAN'T CONCENTRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In this modern age of television, computers, cell phones, gadgets galore - it's challenging to do one thing at a time. Do you recall the last time you just focused on one thing for more than 10 minutes?

A challenge developed by Corsini and Wedding is to allow yourself for one day to simply do one thing at a time.

If you think you have one of the myriad of attention disorders out there, test the theory. Can you focus? If you find this difficult, as most people will, be gentle with yourself. Zen masters dedicate their lives to this practice.

Not only can this approach allow more satisfaction in your daily life, it can enliven your acting to the point of riveting. Give it a go!

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

Are You Living Wisely?

How do you know if you're living the way you'd like to live? According to Kornfield and Walsh, three major questions will help "motivate us to reorder our priorities, to live more fully and authentically, and to heal our relationships. Careful reflection on our life and inevitable death is a powerful means for developing wisdom.

• Given that we will all die, what is truly important in life?
• If you were to die tomorrow, what would you regret not having done?
• What relationships remain unhealed in your life, and how could you begin healing them?"

Find a quiet place and reflect on these questions. Allow thoughts to roll around in you and let the answers be grand. You can always pare down what you determine and create forms of your grand thoughts IF THAT'S NECESSARY.

We live but a moment. How will you spend yours?

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

Awareness Takes Time

Some people dedicate their lives to breath and awareness in the body; I am one of them.

One of the fundamental involuntary processes in our body is breath. This life supporting function can also be adjusted voluntarily. Because of this duality, breath can and does link directly to the calming or stimulating of the nervous system.

Connecting to the breath will connect you to sensations that are occurring in your body moment to moment. Sensations connect you to emotions. So if you are able to allow and experience your breath, or let your body breathe you, you can then fully experience your NOW.

You may already understand and agree that breath work is fundamental to an actor. Actors take years to train and develop breath support. We hone the ability to breathe in large thoughts to avoid running out of breath. Without good breath support, an actor cannot do quality stage work - no matter how intimate the theatre.

If you are interested in exploring breath work, I offer private classes that are informed by Rodenburg, Berry, Linklater, Fitzmaruice, and Skinner. To breathe is to live.

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin

DOing may be our UN-Doing

Charlotte Selver said, "We come into the world and soon learn to feel we always should be doing something instead of simply being open for what presents itself at the moment."

We are conditioned at a very young age to DO because simply noting something does not demonstrate to others you get it. Selver sites examples like a mother demonstrating for her "child, "mmmmm, doesn't that taste good?" (as she smacks her lips), or "Listen to the airplane!" (looking up strenuously)."

So how do we combat or learn alternative ways of being? As artists, or people, healing our souls is paramount. Without health, longevity lacks joy.

Meditation is embraced by many cultures to heal thoughts. WAIT! If you are repelled by the thought of sitting in a room with a bunch of other people trying to clear your mind, you are not alone. This is NOT the only way to create a centering practice.

A centering practice can be anything from traditional meditation to a repetitive action that requires focus, but allows the mind to percolate: it is something you practice often to rid yourself of any unnecessary feelings. Feelings begin from sensation, we interpret the sensation and give the experience meaning, and the meaning is often linked to our core belief system.

Do you crave to be more comfortable in your skin and in your life? Think about sensations you get that calm you down. What are the elements present in those experiences?

Sensations are great in that we can create a new one in our body at any given moment to override the sensations that may lead to uneasiness. Find your happy triggers and use them often!

Give my Core to Win two minute "awakening sensations" a go!

1. Find 2 minutes where you are uninterrupted - TWO.

2. Get in a comfortable position (sitting, lying down, standing) and when your body stills (no fidgeting, scratching, etc.),
bring your attention to the sounds around you.
Close your eyes to tune into your hearing.

3. Begin noticing the closest sounds to you and keep moving out until your two minutes is up. (The sounds next to your body, 1 foot, 2 feet, next room, outside, etc. Be specific.)

4. When you open your eyes and come into awareness, note what that experience was like for you. How do you feel in your body now?
What is your breathing like now?
What was the closest sound, the furthest?

Copyright 2010 Heather Corwin