Exercise Artistic Skills

"Natural Awakenings" is a free monthly publication distributed locally and promotes healthy living through holistic care, stress reduction and quality of life. In the January issue, "Healthy Lifestyle Tweaks" included a section on "Humming" and "Exercise Artistic Skills". The text is shared below with a link to the full article. Quotes are from Sydney Ross Singer, Medical Anthropologist.

Hum Often
Another Singer assertion is that simply humming a couple of minutes a day can stimulate the thyroid and increase the production of thyroid hormones of those with an underactive thyroid.  The butterfly-shaped gland wraps around the larynx, or voice box, which Singer contends is part of nature's elegant design, meant to be stimulated by sound.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that 10 percent of the U.S. population age 65 and over suffers from hypothyroidism, with the rate in the general population between 1 and 2 percent. The condition is a special problem for women encountering perimenopause or menopause. when hormone levels can fluctuate wildly.


Exercise Artistic Skills

Giving oneself artistic license is also healthy. Just bring a little beauty into your life, whether it's choosing which clothing and accessories to wear, arranging a vase of table flowers or dancing to favorite music. Just do something creative every day."

Energy therapists maintain that exposure to creative activities improves circulation to the brain and thyroid; on a psychological level, it also works to improve self-confidence and self-expression.

A recent study at the University of Colorado published in the journal "Palliative & Supportive Care" confirmed that individual art therapy is useful in support cancer patients during chemotherapy. Fifty-one of the 54 participants said it helped them to relax, talk about their situation or explore and express emotions to their benefit.

Robert adds, "It's even better if you join a group engaged in a creative activity. I think people in general do better when we come together to create something beautiful."

These experts' prescriptions for such simple lifestyle changes has shown

Natural Awakenings of Wayne County
http://naturalawakeningsdetroit.com/

"The Foreigner", PS Center Stage Players

Downriver offers a lot of local theatre and entertainment. This is good for the community and an inexpensive way to enjoy the arts.

The PS Center Stage Players are presenting "The Foreigner", a comedy where Charlie, a pathologically shy young man, who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers, poses as a visitor from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Then the fun begins as Charlie overhears more than he should.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for students and senior citizens.

Josephine Brighton Work Skills Center
4460 18th St.
Wyandotte

PS Center Stage Players
734-285-8107
http://pscenterstageplayers.com/wordpress/

Know Your Music Teacher

Know Your Teacher

Although this article is written to focus on lessons for children, the premise is true for all music students. This is a great commitment of time, money and energy and is worth investing some time in choosing the best teacher in your area.

First, check with friends and relatives who may be studying music or the same instrument that interests you. Call music stores and local schools for references.  When you have obtained several names, set up a time to talk with each teacher in person. Ask questions before you make a commitment for lessons.

Your teacher should have experience in performing, music theory and composition, and technical training on the instrument. They should be passionate and continuing to enrich their own musical education. Your time and money will be spent with the best teacher available.

When you have found a qualified private instructor, chances are that this person is a professional who earns most or all of his income through teaching. Keep in mind that you are paying for more than the lesson time each week. You or your child will reap the benefits of the teacher’s education. In addition, the teacher spends time outside the lesson period keeping up with new trends in music, new developments in music education, preparing  material to discuss complex theory and sheet music geared toward the student’s abilities, and preparing the next lessons.

You will probably be expected to pay for all scheduled lessons, whether or not you are present. To make full use of your time and money, go to lessons even when practice time has been scarce that week. As one music teacher used to say, “Just because you don’t know anything this week, doesn’t mean that I don’t!”

Remember that you are a member of a team. Teams only succeed when they work together. If you are a parent, make a point of talking with the teacher at each lesson. This should be part of the lesson.

§                  Know him/her by first and last name.

§                  Be pleasant when interacting with him/her.

§                  Don’t waste your teacher’s time by coming late for pick-up or drop off, or by rambling

on when there are other students scheduled, but do expect a couple minutes after the lesson. In many cases this means ending the lesson 2 or 3 minutes early. This is okay!

• Be open and honest about how things are at home (in relation to the lessons of course!).

Comment on your favorite music teacher and any recommendations you can share about selecting the best teacher.

Peace,

Annette DeMaggio

www.songsofjoymi.com

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and Welcome!

Thanks for visiting my blog. The main themes will be arts and entertainment in the downriver area.

As a music instructor, entertainer and lifelong artist, I will also include real life art experiences along the way. Whether this is about teaching or being a student of music, jamming and connecting with others, or inexpensive local entertainment, I'll be writing, video taping and sharing with you.

My training in classical music, love of the blues, rock and metal, interest in blue grass, ethnic and experimental music will allow me to share a wide variety of downriver offerings. Additionally, the active visual arts and theatre groups downriver will be explored.

If you are an artist, or a lover of the arts, this should be a good source of information and connection for you. I look forward to sharing my adventures and shining the light on great talent.