Movement Foundations/Body Mapping

As a licensed Body Mapping Educator, I incorporate body mapping lessons into both individual and group classes in the studio. I am also available for giving workshops and private sessions designed specifically for your movement needs. Whether you are a professional musician recovering from an injury or a non-musician who would like to experience more comfort and ease in your daily activities, body mapping is an essential part of your journey to discovering the highest quality of movement.

What is Body Mapping?

Body Mapping is a method of movement re-education developed during the 1970‘s by William and Barbara Conable, both Alexander Technique teachers. 

The purpose of Body Mapping is to teach musicians and others to develop awareness of the quality of their movement, to make adjustments to their body maps based on observations about the truth of the body’s design as seen in anatomical images, anatomical models and as felt by palpating one’s own bony structure and performing a variety of movement activities.  Body Mapping is used throughout the world to aid in the healing and prevention of injury and pain. Through Body Mapping, musicians experience an enhanced ability to express themselves at their instruments with ease. 

What is the Body Map?

The body map is a literal map (neuronal representation) in our brains of how our bodies are put together. This map dictates how we move. The body map can change over time based on experience, knowledge and awareness. It is not something that is "fixed", but rather it can grow and change throughout a lifetime. When the body map is accurate, representing the true design of the body, then the movement it produces will be free, easy, balanced and coordinated. When the body map is inaccurate, movement will likely be uncomfortable, labor intensive or forced and may eventually lead to injury. Since musicians move their bodies to produce sound, it is absolutely necessary that they include the study of movement according to the anatomical truth governed by an accurate body map.

Private lessons:

I am available for private lessons working with injured musicians who are interested in retraining their movement. Body Mapping enhances and informs many other movement approaches such as the Taubman Technique and the Alexander Technique. Body Mapping puts musicians on a secure somatic foundation. Musicians learn to prioritize the quality of their movement in order to create a variety of sounds and expression at their instrument. 

Workshops/lecture-demonstrations:

"What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body"

"Movement Foundations for Music Educators"

"Awareness and Movement matter: Finding the lesson time to inspire children to cultivate inclusive awareness and move well at and away from the piano."

"Intro to Body Mapping: Efficient, Coordinated Movement"

Workshops are geared toward musicians and non-musicians looking to enhance their quality of movement. 

UPCOMING COURSES:

July 2025, PCC Community Ed: Intro to Body Mapping: Efficient, Coordinated Movement

PAST EVENTS:

  • October, 2024, Alder Commons, Portland, OR: What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body 
  • August, 2024, Sanders Studio, Portland, OR: What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body
  • May, 2024, Sanders Studio, Portland, OR: What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body
  • March, 2024, Sanders Studio, Portland, OR: Intro to Body Mapping for Studio Music Teachers
  • January 2025, Body Mapping for Every Body, Holualoa, HI   
  • March 2025, Intro to Body Mapping for Private Music Teachers, Brentwood, CA

TESTIMONIALS:

"Our branch thoroughly enjoyed Monica's presentation on Body Mapping. She had a depth of knowledge on the subject that allowed us to thoroughly comprehend the subject matter. She engaged with the audience on our concerns about how we can use Body Mapping to enhance our teaching and performing careers. Delightful experience." - Philip Halseth, President of the Southern Alameda County Branch of Music Teachers Association of California, https://www.mtacsacb.org/ 

"I recently had the opportunity to take Monica's body mapping course and found it incredibly helpful and informative. I am a professional ceramic artist and the content from the course was very helpful. I learned about anatomy, body mechanics and tips for how to position myself in a neutral way so that I can avoid repetitive stress injury. I wish I had learned these techniques much earlier in my career." - Claire Seastone, Seastone Ceramics, https://www.seastoneceramics.com/, Halualoa, HI 

"I just attended Monica's excellent Body Mapping Workshop and it was very helpful for me as a teacher! Her class was full of specific information and practical tips that teachers can use immediately to introduce body awareness to their own students. She made us all marvel at the mechanical perfection of our own skeleton!! The big take-home lesson for me was that it's possible to have an inaccurate body map and that the map can change over time. Monica helped me find my way to discovering a more accurate map - really understanding what's going on inside." - Gaye Thomas, pianist and piano teacher, Portland Oregon

"I am so glad I took this course and would recommend it to all musicians! The information I learned greatly increased my awareness and understanding of the way my body moves at the piano (as well as in everyday life). I also left the course with confidence in my ability to communicate these valuable insights to my students." - Jessica Bell, pianist and piano teacher, Portland, Oregon, https://jessicabellpianostudio.wordpress.com/about-jessica-bell/ 

Please contact me if you are interested in scheduling a workshop for your organization or group!

For more information visit: https://www.bodymap.org/