The Child in Us

The most important element in any learning process is the emotional capacity to relax and be innocent no matter what your age. The following experiment is designed to help you let go of your inhibitions and recapture the spontaneity of the child in you. I recommend trying it alone first. Later as “letting go” becomes more natural, you can invite your family and friends to join you:

1. Put on your favorite CD or turn on the radio to some music that appeals to you.
2. Lie on the floor letting your arms and legs sprawl wherever they happen to fall.
3. While the music plays, keep your eyes closed and breathe deeply. At this point in the experiment, you will notice a fluctuation in your breathing pattern, influenced, of course, by the kind of music to which you happen to be listening. Also, the music will affect various muscular responses throughout your body. Do not inhibit them; rather, allow the music to inspire unconscious feelings and movements.
4. As you continue to lie there with the music flowing through you, the following may occur: your right arm makes a circular motion in the air as the melody climbs higher and higher; a persistent rhythm causes your toes to move up and down seemingly of their own volition; suddenly, your left knee bends in response to a musical climax; before you know it, you roll to one side, resting on both knees, body erect, with your arms weaving in and out like seaweed undulating in the tide.