Video

This for those of you who prefer to look and listen at the same time. Make sure you have headphones in for a more in-depth experience.

Clear Mind

(10 mins 8 seconds) Visual Option 1

Just focus on your breath....see if you can stay with the breath...notice where the breath comes from...and notice as it leaves you. Allow yourself to drift...you may find yourself lying on a sandy beach or simply looking up at the stars. Let the music and your breath merge together so that you can feel the mind beginning to gently clear. If your mind wanders as a thought or an image comes along...just move your focus back to your breath...allow the music and your breath to gently to sweep away anything that has been holding you back. Allow your mind to take you on a short journey of peace...follow the sound of the flute, it has the keys to unlocking your true potential...rising and falling like the breath that sustains you...as your mind begins to clear...however briefly...notice the space it leaves behind. This space is you...the true you...the you of your dreams. As the music disappears, gently say the following mantra.."I am me"…"I am worth it"… "I am unique"

Composed and performed by Theo Travis

Clear Mind 2

(10 mins 8 seconds) Visual Option 2

Floating on Air

(15 mins 34 seconds)

You can do this with your eyes open or closed….focus on your out breath....notice the point where the breath leaves either the edge of your nose, or tip of your lips. See if you can stay with the breath... spend a few moments with your breath...then allow your mind to bring an area of your music that you are struggling in to focus to be in the moment. Then allow yourself to begin to float upwards…and as you do so, you are able to see yourself from above…notice as a third party….then as you are watching, somebody you really admire comes in to focus beneath you….you notice them walking over to you…allow yourself to come down and merge back with you body….stay with your breath as this person speaks to you of the difficulties you are experiencing….tell them what issues you are having and listen to their response….then when they have finished speaking….they slowly move away and as they do so…you find a warmth appearing in your chest….expand this positive warmth…take notice of this warmth…and allow it to push upwards and downwards through your body….allow any negative thought or tension to be pushed out and away…… replaced by gentle calm….and space.

Allow the remaining music and your breath to gently keep you focused. ...follow the sound of the flute and your breath. As the music disappears, say the following mantra.."I am not my thoughts, my thoughts are impermanent…I can…I will"

Composed and performed by Theo Travis.

Ancient Wisdom

(6 minutes)

Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down and just let your mind float freely for the short 6 minute duration of this beautiful music. Let any thoughts that come in simply come and go as you find 6 minutes of important space for you mind.

Loving Kindness

(7 minutes)

Headphones in and give yourself permission to spend the next 6 minutes in your own world. You can either free yourself up by letting any thoughts that arise simply come and go, or you can focus on a task or something that you find yourself stuck on…and then allow these next few minutes to unstick and to resolve.

Composed and performed by Theo Travis

Breaking Free

(9 minutes 17 secs)

The thing with focusing is that it’s really not hard to do as long as you stay in the present moment. So for the next 9 mins Let any thought which comes in to your mind to simply come and go. Pay no attention, give no title or judgement on anything that bubbles up. Just be present in the moment focusing on the sand dropping in to the hour glass.

You see this sand rand each individual piece represents your POWER. Your ENERGY. Your DESIRE to ‘break free’ from whatever has been holding you back. As you continue to watch the sand falling, so your reserves of inner strength begins to grow at the bottom of the hour glass.

Follow the music as it ebbs and flows and begin to notice a warm feeling developing inside you. This warm feeling is your energy and renewed enthusiasm levels being replenished. As the sand levels increase, magnify your desire to ‘Break Free’. To take back control of your practice and performance. And as the music begins to fade away, just close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep slow in breath through your nose to the count of 5, and then out through your mouth to the count of 5. Do this 5 times and with each breath, notice how your are now unlocking this new energy and how you are now ready to ‘Break Free’.

As musicians, our focus really does determine our reality and our effectiveness. If we can be free of the past and future moments (just for the duration of our practice and performances) and be present in this very moment, you’ll quickly find that your practicing becomes more effective whilst your performances can become free of any self-induced limitations and fears.

Composed and performed by Melissa Keeling

Seeing without judgement

(8 minutes 27 seconds)

This is an exercise in being still and giving your mind the chance to wash away any thoughts which are preventing you from doing something. As the gentle music progresses, find yourself getting lost in its construction. Follow the tide as it comes and out. Focus on anything which is sitting in your mind and feel yourself losing the thoughts with the tide. Letting it wash away any negativity. Don’t judge anything that comes in to your mind, just allow the sounds to enter and develop without a label. Sometimes we find it hard to locate a little quiet in our busy lives, which can lead to frustration and lack of creative energy. Allow these next few minutes to give you the clarity to see wash away any negativity.

Composed and performed by José Valentino

Moving Forward with Happiness

(8 minutes 16 secs)

If you are feeling stuck with a decision or there is something bothering you that is affecting your focus of attention and your flute playing and practice, then spend the next 8 mins resetting how you are feeling. As the alto begins, focus for a few moments on your breath, slowly breath in through your nose for the count of 5 and then out through you mouth to the count of 5. With each in-breath you are gently relaxing your mind to allow yourself the opportunity to find the key to begin to reset your inner self. As you begin to relax in to the gentle flow of the beautiful flute solo, remember a time in your life when you did something that made you very happy. It could be something very small and insignificant or something very major in your life, but it made YOU very happy inside. Now remember that event and note the feelings using all your senses. See them, feel them, hear them, taste them, smell them. Magnify these x 10 making them very real. Turn them in to a feeling of warmth, and then gradually push them though your whole body. You yearn for happiness and freedom and you can use these next moments to empower you. As the music begins to fade and when you have pushed the warmth to the top of your head and tips of your fingers and toes, unlock an imaginary valve and let the warmth disappear out of your body, pushing away and out any negativity you had previously been feeling. Leaving new inner space for YOU to choose to fill with peace, calm and happiness.

composer and performer Melissa Keeling

Peace

(17 minutes 10 seconds)

As you switch the video on, spend the first moments focusing on your breathing. Pay attention to each in-breath and then out-breath. Any thoughts that come into focus, push them away. For the next few minutes they are of no interest to you. Listen to the melody floating over the waves as the sun sets, and let yourself float freely. This is your time for a little peace!

Composed and performed by José Valentino

Be Still

(8 minutes 27 seconds)

This is an exercise in being still and giving your mind a little space. As the gentle music progresses, find yourself getting lost in its construction. Follow the leaves on the tree as the melody and bass line catches your attention. Don’t judge anything that comes in to your mind, just allow the sounds to enter and develop without a label. Sometimes we find it hard to locate a little quiet in our busy lives, which can lead to frustration and lack of creative energy. Allow these next few minutes to give you the clarity to see what beautiful and positive thoughts arise.

Composed and performed by José Valentino

I believe in me

(5 minutes 16 seconds)

As the video begins, pay attention to your breathing. Focus on each in-breath, and then allow yourself to gently relax with every out-breath. As the music carries you along, note any thoughts or messages that come into your mind, but pay no attention, let them come and go. As you continue to relax, focus on the words ”I am worthy”. Notice where any feelings arise and pay attention to them. If they are warm, then begin to push these in to your chest, magnify them and feel their strength. As you do so, you will begin to understand the warmth and glow of your own value. Hold onto this warm feeling until you hear the music gently fading away. Believe in yourself!

Composed and performed by Melissa Keeling

I can, I will

(5 minutes 35 seconds)

It’s important that when you are feeling a little low, when you think that it’s not possible - you remind yourself that nothing is beyond you. The simple fact that each and every one of us is unique with our music and performance, is a blessing as it means that no two performances will ever be the same. As you watch and listen, find yourself carried along by the beat and the melody. Magnify the feelings of strength and lose yourself in this track. You may not always believe it of youself, but at this moment focus on the words “I can, I will”.

Composer and performer José Valentino

I am unique

(4 minutes 46 seconds)

These next few minutes are important in reminding yourself that you are unique.

As you listen to the music, gently soar above the mountain tops, away from distractions - knowing that deep down, you really do have the inner strength to unlock your uniqueness. Nobody has a perfect life or feels wonderful every day. We are all vulnerable at times. As you spend the next few moments free as a bird, allow yourself to feel the warmth in your body as the jet stream carries you over mountains, valleys and rivers.

You are unique.

Composed and performed by Melissa Keeling

I am Valued

(8 minutes 46 seconds)

When the music begins, allow yourself to focus on your breathing, relaxing with each out-breath. Allow your mind to push any negative thoughts that come in up into the clouds, and watch as they carry each thought away. Take a few moments to remind yourself of a time in your life when you have achieved something that you are really proud of. Hold onto these positive memories and keep pushing any negative thoughts that may arise up in to the clouds. As the gentle music opens up your inner space, remind yourself that you have achieved and will continue to be valued as a unique individual. As the music eventually begins to disappear in to the distance, wave goodbye to those negative thoughts hanging from the passing clouds. You are very valued!

Composed and performed by Melissa Keeling

Quiet Space

(9 minutes 32 seconds)

In our busy lives, it is sometimes difficult to find that little ‘space’. Our minds race along from one thing to another; going from happiness to inner criticism in the blink of an eye. The aim of this track is to enable you to have a gentle hollow space in which to allow your busy mind to present thoughts to you. Instead of paying attention as they arise, just notice them, but do not judge any thought or image that comes along. Allow yourself to float in this track of quiet space. You can do this with your eyes open or closed. Just simply ‘be’.

Composed and performed by Theo Travis

Being in the moment!

(4 mins 56 seconds)

This is an exercise in keeping your focus, something we all need in our musical lives.

As the music begins, slowly breath in through your nose to the count of 5 , and then exhale through your mouth to the count of 5. Do this 3 times. Then as you watch the sand falling in the hour glass and you embrace the beautiful music, note any thoughts that arise. Notice but don’t give them a label or a judgment. As quickly as they come in to your mind you will notice they will disappear like the sand in the hour glass.

When your focus becomes clearer, then if you are sitting down, become aware of the seat beneath you. If you are standing, the floor under your feet. Follow the direction of the music. Let it take you forward and as it does so gently repeat over and over again “This is my time”. As the music fades away in to the distance. Take a few moments to say something nice to yourself. “I can..and I will”

Composed and performed by Melissa Keeling

I am proud of who I am

(5 minutes 38 seconds)

In this fast-moving world, especially in our music, it’s sometimes a challenge to not compare ourselves with others. When we are lost in instrumental study or the hard work of performance preparation, being reminded that we are proud of who we are and what we do is so important for our wellbeing. As the gentle ebb and flow of the music develops and the sun goes down, just notice what your busy mind throws at you. Don’t label each thought and don’t judge, just notice. There is nobody else like you. We all have our weaknesses but that is what makes everybody unique. Be proud of yourself! As the sun finally sets over the horizon, be proud of yourself knowing that it’s in your own gift to let tomorrow be a brand new day, and a brand new you!

Composed and performed by José Valentino

All videos taken with DJI drone, Canon 5D MkIV and iPhone

©Jean-Paul Wright at TJ flutes