Whether you are hitting the field or taking to the stage, Emma Jarrett is inviting you to improve the way you move.
“Imagine you love to ski but your body struggles with the chair lift,” Jarrett explains.
“You love to skate but your legs are achey; you’re getting into yoga but you’re frustrated with your body’s flexibility. No matter what your job, your passion, your game – your body is a tool and your brain is either working for or against you.”
Jarrett takes a different approach to coaching, working with individuals in the performing arts as well as athletics.
This approach can be used in daily life as well.
Jarrett was trained in England and certified to teach the Interactive Teaching Method. This method is based on the work of F.M. Alexander.
With performance coaching Jarrett hopes to help individuals use their bodies by getting better at using their brains, combining physical performance ad mental skills.
It is a way to break out of the habits we have created and work around self-imposed limitations.
“People come to see me and have their habitual ways called into question,” Jarrett said.
By discussion and by a hands-on teaching element, Jarrett helps to determine what is a necessary in your movements and performance and which areas of your body you have unnecessarily tensed.
It’s a process of unlearning habits and learning to approach things differently.
“You don’t need more things to do,” Jarrett said, “more stretches, bigger workout or deeper motivation to get moving. These are all important elements to being fit and active but more of the same in not require.”
Her niche is primarily musicians and actors but over the years she has worked alongside many athletes over her more than 20-year career in performance coaching. During her career Jarret has worked in New York, Seattle, Wales, London and various places across B.C. to name a few.
Jarrett has worked in Quesnel for nearly 12 years and has worked alongside people in a variety of different fields including musicians, actors, coaches, runners, cross-country skiers, hockey and soccer players.
“People love to apply this to riding horses,” Jarrett said.
“The freer the rider is, the clearer they are with their intentions and the better result they get with their horse.”
Barkerville performer Dustin Allen has been working with Jarrett to help improve his performance. After only five sessions Allen has seen a noticeable difference.
“It’s improved everything in that it gives you more awareness of what your body is doing,” Allen said.
“It forces you to become mentally present and actually thinking about what you are doing but not in a way that impedes or detracts. I use a lot less energy to get better results.”
Jarrett will be presenting and demonstrating her work in performance coaching.
Improve How you Move will be hosted Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Anglican Church Hall with 50 per cent of the profits going towards the Island Mountain Arts CAWS campaign. For a hands-on approach there will be workshops Sept. 27 at the Anglican Church Hall 9 – 12:30 p.m.