The Art of Relaxation

I've studied at uni and honed my craft on stages and sets, exploring and testing a variety of techniques, including those of Eric Morris, Stanislavski, Meisner, and Stella Adler. While all this learning has given me the tools to approach my work. In all honesty, after all these years, it boils down to one simple thing for me. While there's plenty of work to be done, the most important part is to meet the work with relaxation and radical gentleness. We perform everything better when we're relaxed. It allows us to get out of our own way. Why is this so hard. Because an actor's workplace is fucking chaotic. You're on a stage in front of hundreds of people or you're on set with thousands of moving parts and people and idea's and distractions. How do you stay relaxed in this sort of environment? This question is where I place most of my attention.

The Magic of Letting Go

Tension is the actor's greatest enemy. It's not just about physical tension – though that's certainly part of it. It's about mental tension, emotional tension, and the invisible barriers we build around ourselves. When we're tense, we can't access our authentic emotions, our creativity becomes blocked, and our performances feel forced rather than flowing. We give a safe and basic performance. I'm sure you've felt it before. when your at home working on the scene and its flowing and alive, but as soon as you go to perform it in front of others it becomes a mere shadow of what you had earlier.

Think about the last time you were truly relaxed. Maybe it was during a holiday, or after a massage, or simply sitting in your favourite chair at home. In that state, everything feels possible. Your mind is clear, your body is responsive, and you're fully present in the moment. This is exactly the state we need to access for irreverent performances.

The Benefits Beyond Stage & Screen

The beauty of learning to relax deeply is that it transforms not just your acting, but your entire life. My students often tell me how the relaxation techniques they've learned in class have helped them:

• Handle work presentations with greater ease and authenticity

• Navigate challenging personal conversations more effectively

• Sleep better and wake up more refreshed

• Reduce anxiety in high-pressure situations

• Make clearer decisions without second-guessing themselves

• Find more joy in everyday moments

The Science Behind Relaxation

When we're relaxed, our bodies shift from the "fight or flight" response to the "rest and digest" state. This isn't just comfortable – it's where the magic happens. Your breathing deepens, your blood pressure lowers, and your mind becomes more receptive to new ideas and impulses. For actors, this state is golden baby! It's where we can access our emotions freely, listen truly to our scene partners, and allow authentic responses to emerge naturally.

From Tension to Freedom

In my studio, I teach specific techniques to help you recognise and release tension:

• Body scanning to identify where you hold stress

• Breath work that calms the nervous system

• Meditation practices that quiet the inner critic

• Movement exercises that promote natural alignment

• Voice work that reveals and releases tension patterns

The Result? Magic in Motion

When an actor is truly relaxed, something extraordinary happens. The performance stops being a performance and becomes an experience – both for the actor and the audience. Lines flow naturally, emotions arise authentically, and moments of pure magic emerge spontaneously. It's like watching a great athlete "in the zone" – there's an effortless quality that paradoxically comes from dedicated practice in relaxation.

Your Journey to Relaxation

Whether you're an experienced actor or just starting out, learning to work from a place of relaxation will transform your craft. But remember – relaxation isn't passive. It's an active, chosen state that requires practice and patience. It's about finding that sweet spot between effort and ease, between doing and being.

Ready to discover what's possible when you let go of tension and embrace true relaxation? Join me in the studio, and let's explore this transformative approach together. Because when you're truly relaxed, you're not just a better actor – you're more fully yourself.