By Jean McClelland

I begin each day with a practice of breath and singing. It is as vital to me as the sun and the moon. No matter what issues I’m dealing with in life, the moment I begin my practice, I enter a totally clear and focused state of mind. In this space, I feel energized and free. I experience a divine connection to music which deeply stirs me. In this space, boundaries do not exist; I am limitless.   

At the age of 90, world-renowned cellist Pablo Casals was asked why he continued to practice. He replied, “Because I am just now learning how to play the cello.” This story illustrates the way great artists have the capacity to dedicate themselves to a life of practice. Devotion to practice is not just applicable to a life in the arts but to everyone, regardless of vocation, talents or interests. Indeed, life itself can be a form of practice. 

For many people, the idea of practice invokes upsetting childhood memories, such as a stern piano teacher making them sit at the piano, playing scales over and over again, turning their former fascination with playing the piano into a dreaded chore. 

Even beyond childhood we may think that practice means doing something repetitively. But that is not true practice. True practice is mindful, and it is that which helps us grow and leads to transformation. It is staying with a process of discovery and not working solely for an end result. 

Oftentimes, students of any discipline can be found resisting opportunities to spend time with themselves to connect with something deeper; however, they have no trouble going to a myriad of classes in the search of integration and enlightenment. Practice is an “inside job.” We have to sit with ourselves and “figure it out.” That is what brings the joy of an aha moment. 

Practice is transformation. It focuses and opens our mind. Practice leads to discovery and connects us to a part of ourselves that is intuitive and creative. Practice requires discipline, but it is that discipline that nourishes every part of our being.

We can start every day with a practice of some form, one that connects us to a more creative part of ourselves where we connect to our true Self and the core of our being. Our life begins to blossom in beautiful ways when we devote time each day to mindful practice. For those unsure where to begin, start with the simple morning practice below. 

While still lying in bed, place a hand on your upper chest and notice the movement of breath and the rise of the sternum under your hand. Make sure it is an allowing hand and one that doesn’t impose on your body or tries to feel for something. Just be without expectation. Little by little you will notice new insights forming in your mind and a new way of thinking that you have not encountered before.

The highly acclaimed pianist André Watts spoke eloquently of his love of practice: “When I’m feeling unhappy, going to the piano and just playing gently and listening to sounds makes everything slowly seem all right.” This is surely the joy of practice.

Jean McClelland is on the faculty of the Graduate Program in Acting at Columbia University and a guest lecturer in the music department at William Paterson University. She is an AmSAT certified senior teacher of the Alexander Technique and studied with Carl Stough at his Institute for Breathing Coordination. She is one of fewer than a dozen people worldwide personally selected by Stough to teach his work. In addition, she has performed extensively in musical theater and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association. She teaches in-person and virtual private lessons and group classes. For more information, visit JeanMcClellandVoice.com.