Intellectual Challenges: In music, dance, acting and other performing arts, the performer must conceptualize the musical piece, ballet, or acting role -- an intellectual and emotional exercise that calls on a mind unblocked by stress and tension.

Physical Challenges: The artist portrays his "concept" of the piece through physical motions that may be uncomfortable or painful, hampering performance.

Performance Challenges: Performing is more than a mental and physical exercise. It involves emotions, full awareness of self and others, and great confidence. If these aspects are missing, even the most talented performers can fail.

Mind versus Body: Successful artists must fully use their minds, bodies, and emotions while standing up to an audience's scrutiny. By elevating "technique" above all, performers overshadow the other elements required for true artistry.

Free your mind from fear, preconceived ideas, and other mental blocks.

Increase concentration by working on the whole process, rather than the end result.

Reduce painful conditions, such as stiff necks (violinists) and wrist pain (pianists).

Enjoy expressing all aspects of your music, not just "technical excellence."

Infuse all pieces and exercises with musicality by integrating the mind and body.

"It is not the degree of 'willing' or 'trying', but the way in which the energy is directed, that is going to make the 'willing' or 'trying' effective."

F. M. Alexander

Lessen the physical stress of voice projection.

Freely manipulate your consciousness to achieve a different persona.

Open your emotions to react to other characters and to interact with the audience.

Become aware of inner tensions and redirect your mind and body's energy.

Achieve greater poise, focus, coordination, and openness during performances.

Learn to understand the mechanism of your body.

Reduce the physical problems associated with the rigors of dance.

Move, balance, and position your body correctly and efficiently.

Concentrate on staying "in the moment" and listening to your body's sensations.

Integrate your emotions, thoughts, and movements while dancing.

Learn how your emotional moods and physical manifestations of stage fright (trouble breathing, palpitations, sweating or shaking) are directly connected.

Use the body's "primary control" to encourage relaxation of the mind and body.

During performance, learn to concentrate on the process rather than the end result.

Understand how your "whole self" performs, rather than focusing on individual factors such as feelings of technical inadequacy or social pressures.

Learn to prepare your inner self for performance to gain confidence and enjoyment.