Helping Musicians Achieve Peak Performance with Surface Electromyography/Video

Biofeedback ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Riley

For musicians, performance problems often go unnoticed at first and have several different starting points. Regardless of the starting point, the “problem” manifests physiologically as tension. It is useful for therapists, doctors, and other specialists to see clients perform. Corrections need to be made to their physical, mental, and emotional approach to performance. Retraining with surface electromyography biofeedback and video helps identify elevations in muscle tension and incorrect body alignment. Feedback-assisted retraining helps to bring about self-awareness and the skills to reduce tension and achieve optimal performance.

1984 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
William Michelsen

On Grundtvig and the Present TimeBy William MichelsenThis is a detailed review of Ejvind Larsen’s book The Living Word (Det levende ord, Copenhagen 1983), which is a series of essays on Grundtvig’s life and writings as seen by one of our contemporary writers. Ejvind Larsen was editor-in-chief of Information, a daily newspaper, while he was writing the book, and at the same time he was rewriting his and Ebbe Kløvedal Reich’s play on Grundtvig from 1973 into The Sweet Morning-Dream of the Heart; the play was performed by a group theatre throughout Denmark in the anniversary year.The play complements the book, among other things in its treatment of Grundtvig’s first marriage. The first 170 pages are a much enlarged revision of the author’s own book on Grundtvig and Marx from 1974, plus a chapter on Shakespeare’s influence, published in Grundtvig Studies 1973 under the title A Natural Philosopher after Grundtvig’s Heart. The last three chapters deal especially with Grundtvig’s relationship to women and are written under the strong influence of Freud and Melanie Klein. Ejvind Larsen maintains that Grundtvig was very close to his mother as long as she lived (until 1822), and in particular after 1810. Emphasis is laid on the poetry collection Little Songs (Kvædlinger, 1815), which has a poetic dedication to her and which supplies the retrospectively arranged poems with strongly self-critical notes from a strict orthodox viewpoint. Larsen actually claims that in 1810 Grundtvig “asked to be beaten into conversion” , or in other words, that his Christian breakthrough in 1810 was a masochistic self-delusion.The reviewer protests against this interpretation. Grundtvig knew he was spiritually sick at heart in the period October 1810 to spring 1811, and he himself says as much in letters and notes. But this illness was the first visible sign of the manic-depressive psychosis which later incapacitated him in 1844 and 1867 and which to a lesser degree left its mark on his psyche. Grundtvig was well aware of this, as is already clear from a letter to Christian Molbech in May 1808. It is also well-known from other writings on him (Provost Fr. Schmidt’s diaries), that his outbursts were no more violent than that in the spring of 1811 he could control them in the presence of others. Noone denies that in his meeting with Clara Bolton in 1831 and in his marriage to Marie Toft Grundtvig came to a far deeper understanding of himself than in the years following 1810. But it is untenable to reduce the recognition of the contradictory elements in Grundtvig’s attitude when his father demanded that he gave up his work in Copenhagen to become his curate, to masochistic self-delusion.Luther could not be obedient to God without being disobedient to his father. Grundtvig could not be obedient to God without at the same time being obedient to his father.The reviewer thus insists that it was a healthy self-awareness that forced Grundtvig to leave Copenhagen on January 5th and apply to the King for the position of curate to his father, even though this self-awareness was also accompanied by a depressive condition. The decisive influence of his mother’s letter six months previously is not denied, but nonetheless this was the beginning of a process of self-awareness in Grundtvig which was to last the rest of his life.The major achievement in Larsen’s book, according to the reviewer, is his treatment of the poem The Gospel of Woman (Kvinde-Evangeliet) (Grundtvig's Song-Work, Vol. I l l p. 399ff), which has sofar remained quite unnoticed. The reviewer calls it “the Gospel of the Present Time” , because it has not been able to be understood until now. The positive influence of the feminine on Grundtvig is emphasized in the book, making it an impressive and very inspiring volume, a worthwhile starting-point for a further study of Grundtvig’s life and work and a debate on the perspectives that are opened up in Grundtvig’s ideas and personal development.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Wimbush

This article provides a commentary on the opaque and often contradictory arguments of ‘Humanistic Quietism’, Samuel Beckett's 1934 review of Thomas MacGreevy's Poems. Using Beckett's complicated relationship to both his own Protestant upbringing and the Catholicism of MacGreevy as a starting point, the article proposes new ways of understanding Beckett's ambivalent comments about MacGreevy's interiority, prayer-like poetry, humility, and quietism. It draws on Beckett's comments on Rilke, André Gide, and Arnold Geulincx, as well as his familiarity with Dante, to unpack the review's dense allusions and make sense of Beckett's aesthetic allegiances.


Author(s):  
Kulwarang Wongwilairat ◽  
Orawan Buranruk ◽  
Wichai Eungpinichpong ◽  
Rungthip Puntumetakul ◽  
Somporn Kantharadussadee-Triamchaisri

Abstract Background Chronic neck pain is frequently found in office workers affecting quality of life; also, stress is one participating factor. Though stretching incorporating deep-slow breathing (DSB) has benefits on health, an effective and suitable technique for office workers to perform in the workplace is a gap in need of fulfilment. Methods We explored the effective pattern of stretching with DSB to reduce neck tension and promote relaxation within the shortest time. Thirty-two female participants with neck tension were allocated into two steps totaling five patterns (n=8 for each pattern). Firstly, they performed two patterns; two other patterns were developed and compared with DSB alone. Muscle tension, pain score, and heart rate variability (HRV) were immediately measured. Results All patterns performed with the eyes closed decreased muscle tension more than those performed with the eyes open; the pain amid all stretching groups subsequently decreased. Only a bout of slow stretching, performed synchronously with the eyes closed along with a period of deep inhalation increased the parasympathetic activity of HRV; an increase in pain was reported after stretching. Conclusions A slowed and synchronized pattern between stretching with DSB and eyes closed period, performed at least four times repeatedly rendered benefits in reducing neck pain and tension, in addition to promoting relaxation within a short period; however, the DSB pattern and the feeling of the stretched muscle to promote relaxation were individual differences. Thus, future studies should come up with apposite training methods adjusted to fit individuals; self-awareness toward these aspects ought to be encouraged.


Author(s):  
Maximilian Pelka ◽  
Michael Kellmann

The sport and performance environment is highly demanding for its actors. Therefore, recovery from work and sports requires special attention. Without adequate recovery, optimal performance is not attainable. It depends, however, on the individual what adequate recovery actually is. An extremely demanding event for someone may not be as demanding for someone else. Every individual perceives his or her environment differently and therefore has to choose his or her response or prevention strategy accordingly. Monitoring one’s recovery-stress states might be a promising starting point to establish individual baselines and further regulate training or work intensities. Relaxation in terms of implementing systematic relaxation techniques seems to be an adequate approach. These techniques can be divided into muscle-to-mind and mind-to-muscle techniques focusing either on the training of one’s sensitivity to muscle tension or on the cognitive processes involved in relaxation. Whether the recovery process is finally successful depends on if the chosen methods fit the purpose of recovery (i.e., response to cognitive or physical demands), the setting/circumstance (i.e., time and place), and how comfortable one feels with the specific recovery strategy.


Global Jurist ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Silvestri

Abstract Taking as its starting-point Guido Calabresi’s latest book – The Future of Law and Economics – the present article aims to explore the often neglected issue of value judgments and normativity in Law and Economics. I will show the importance of enquiring Calabresi’s methodological distinction between Law and Economics and Economic Analysis of Law and the related bilateralism thesis in order to understand the problematic relationship between methodological value judgments and ethical value judgments, the ‘distance’ between Calabresi and Posner and the problematic notion of reformism. Then I will try to introduce a different notion of normativity. I will also show the existence of an unresolved tension in Calabresi’s methodological discourse between a positive approach, which seems to be privileged in this book, and his insistence on the inevitability of value judgments in economic analysis. Finally, I clarify the reasons for the ‘ignorance’ of values by the economist by distinguishing between economists’ “lack of self-awareness”, economists’ idolatry and the economists’ lenses.


Author(s):  
Hee Jung Kim ◽  
Hee-Young Oh ◽  
Hyeon-Joo Lee

Purpose: This study aims to explore the independent housing experiences of people with mental illness who receive supported independent housing services provided by the public sector.Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interviews. Twelve participants, who had been living independently in the community for around 11 months, were included. A qualitative descriptive method and a content analysis method were applied.Results: Independent housing experiences of people with mental illness were classified into the following four domains: house effect, growth, challenges and limitations, relationships, and support. Eleven categories included the starting point of life, environmental & psychological comfort, inspire independence and confidence, recognition of goals and responsibilities, positive self-awareness, psychological difficulties, immaturity of daily coping, unstable self-protection, relationship improvement, and importance of support resources.Conclusion: For successful community integration of mentally disabled people, continuous legal institutional preparation for stable housing, government active interest, and flexible financial support are needed. In addition to housing support, a recovery-based independent housing case management model needs to be developed for successful maintenance of independent living. We also suggest a study on the effectiveness of independent housing to determine evidence for making a policy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 238212052092999
Author(s):  
Sarah Smithson ◽  
Gary Beck Dallaghan ◽  
Jason Crowner ◽  
Laura Trollinger Derry ◽  
Akshitha (Ammu) Vijayakumar ◽  
...  

Background: Medical education has traditionally been rooted in the teaching of health and disease processes, with little attention to the development of teamwork and leadership competencies. Objective: In an era of value-based health care provided by high-functioning teams, new approaches are needed to develop communication, leadership, and teamwork skills for medical students. Design: We designed and piloted a simulation-based educational activity called Peak Performance that linked a workbook, which focused on self-reflection on communication and leadership skills, with professional coaching. The simulation scenario placed students in the role of an upper-level resident on an inpatient service, followed by a small group debrief with students, a clinical faculty member, and a professional executive coach. After the debriefing session, students were invited to complete a self-reflection workbook within 1 week of the initial simulation. The final element of the curriculum was an individualized session with an executive coach. Peak Performance was offered to all fourth-year medical students enrolled in the Social and Health Systems Science required course at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Results: Pre-/post-self-assessments of leadership competencies were completed by students. Pre-simulation self-assessment scores ranged from 3.72 to 4.33 on a 5-point scale. The lowest scores were in “Managing Conflict” and “Managing Others.” The highest score was in “Self-Awareness.” The post-simulation scores decreased in every competency, with “Managing Others” dropping significantly from 3.72 pre-simulation to 3.36 post-simulation (0.31, P < .05). Satisfaction with the curriculum was high, as reflected by a Net Promoter Score of 91% (“excellent” > 50%). Conclusions: A novel simulation-based educational activity linked to professional coaching is a feasible and impactful strategy to develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills in medical students. Student insight and self-awareness increased as evidenced by a decrease in competency self-assessment after guided reflection and individualized coaching.


2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 783-800
Author(s):  
Lài Xísān

Abstract In this essay, Christoph Menke’s “aesthetics of force” converses with contemporary Chinese philosophy, especially with the field of Transcultural Research in the Zhuāngzǐ conducted in Taiwan. The starting point of the following reflections is that “the artist is able to be unable” (der Künstler kann das Nichtkönnen). How can we philosophically describe a way of doing that retains self-awareness in the midst of self-forgetfulness? What Zhuāngzǐ discusses is an aesthetic cultivation of “contemplative perception” (Schau/guān 觀) in the midst of doing. His language is able to describe and interpret from within a way of doing that refrains from purposeful action. Menke’s approach corresponds with my reflections on Daoism and the book Zhuāngzǐ developed in recent years. Particularly important in this context is the exploration of relating aesthetics to ethical and political questions through an aesthetic transformation of subjectivity. Following the linguistic dynamics associated with the transcultural interweaving of texts, this essay connects Menke’s interpretation of Nietzsche and my interpretation of the Zhuāngzǐ. In so doing, I hope to set in motion a change in thinking on both sides.


1996 ◽  
Vol 6 (S1) ◽  
pp. 15-24
Author(s):  
Erica Frydenberg

This paper takes as its starting point two major reviews of young people's psychosocial development and considers the outlook for their future. In the context of growing concern about young people's prospects, it is proposed that one way to harness the vitality of youth and avert psychosocial problems is through the development of adolescent awareness and involvement with matters of social concern. It is proposed that by identifying young people's concerns and the development of their coping skills in relationship to matters that are relevant to them, it is possible to deal with stress, increase self awareness, develop communication skills, and empower young people to become altruistic/prosocial participants in the community.


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