Stage fright, performance nerves, performance anxiety: are you terrified of stepping into the spotlight? Do you shake, get cold and sweaty hands, experience shallow and fast breathing, dry mouth, nausea or difficulty concentrating?
Packed with simple practical interventions, ’Befriending Performance Anxiety’ is your guide to achieving optimal performance states and finding support before, during and after each public event.
Suitable for musicians and other performers of all levels of abilities, the content is also invaluable for educators, presenters and reluctant public speakers who fear taking the stage.
In ’Befriending Performance Anxiety’, you will learn:
- How to maintain focus and deal with mistakes
- The science behind anxiety mechanisms and what we can do about them
- Simple and practical tips on what to do before, during and after your performance
- Intervention tools based on breathwork, focus and gentle movement
If you would like to build confidence in performing for others, this accessible little book will provide a clear roadmap for success.
Table of Content
1.INTRODUCTION
2. ANXIETY MECHANISMS
3. BREATHWORK 101
4. ROUTINES
5. SAFETY NETS
6. FOCUS AND ANXIETY
7.IMPROVISATION
8. POST-PERFORMANCE
9. EXPOSURE THERAPY
10. MOVING FORWARD
OPEN SPACE
RESOURCES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
About the author
Dr Xenia Pestova Bennett is an internationally active concert pianist and Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. Described as ‘a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire’ (Tempo), ‘stunning’ (Wales Arts Review), ‘ravishing’ (Pizzicato) and ‘remarkably sensuous’ (New Zealand Herald) in the international press, she has earned a reputation as a leading interpreter of uncompromising repertoire alongside masterpieces from the past. Xenia combines her research and first-hand experience in performance anxiety management with extensive training as a yoga, breathwork and meditation instructor. In addition to performing and teaching, Xenia regularly offers workshops on tools to ‘befriend’ performance and generalised anxiety for individuals, businesses and organisations including the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine; the Contemporary Music Centre (Ireland); Facebook London; Triyoga UK; and higher education institutions around the world including leading music conservatoires.
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