Maggie Flanigan Studio, which is based in New York City, has announced that they have recently published an article and a video from Laura Pensiero, one of the teachers of the reiki class for actors at the studio. In the article by Laura Pensiero on the studio’s website and the video on YouTube, she stresses the importance of letting go of the work in preparation for the role and being present in the moment. She wants to emphasize that this is the final step in the acting process and it is a challenging and critical step that the actor must take.
Laura Pensiero explains, “When you train the mind to be present through meditation letting go and being present becomes more comfortable and more natural to do while acting.” The reiki acting teacher points out that most actors try to attain perfection. Thus, they will focus on various studies and developments regarding every aspect of the acting process. This involves intellectual work but this can cause the actors to overthink, which results into disconnected and indicated acting.
Laura Pensiero says that actors could be thinking about the next scene or next moment, which makes them removed from the present. She wants to emphasize that actors need to focus on one step at a time and move from one moment to another moment, which keeps them connected and present. She points out that something as simple as breathing fully can help in the letting go process. This is because breathing can help release tension and anxiety. It makes actors aware of their body, which in turn allows them to be present. Breathing can help keep the body and mind calm, which allows the work to flow.
According to Laura, another effective technique to remain in the present is for actors to take a moment to feel their feet on the ground. By being aware of where their feet and the floor meet, the nervous energy is eliminated and actors are able to move into their body.
However, Laura warns actors that while the above-mentioned techniques seem to be simple and easy, they might be easier said than done. This is why she recommends that actors engage in at least five minutes of meditation everyday. She believes that meditation can have a profound impact on the actors’ life and acting. Also, mantras can help the mind to focus during meditation.
Another important technique that Laura recommends is healing light visualization. In this technique, actors will need to close their eyes and imagine a ball of healing light in front of them. They will need to visualize the size, color, and temperature of the sun. And as they breathe, they will imagine the light traveling into their body, flowing through their body, and around their body. They will then visualize the healing light to release their tension and provide them with deep inner peace. When actors train the mind to be present through meditation, it becomes easier for them to trust that they exist in the current state. By practicing daily meditation, letting go and being present will become more natural and more comfortable while acting.
Maggie Flanigan had established the studio in 2001 with the goal of helping people aspiring to be actors. She had taught at the New York City acting classes of William Esper and also for the MFA Acting Program at Rutgers University. From 2006 to 2012, she had engaged the help of Charlie Sandlan to develop the reputation of the studio as the best when it comes to professional actor training. This excellent reputation was developed after they have created various classes, such as Business I and II classes, Film History, Anatomy for Actors, Theater History, and Script Analysis.
People who are interested in the classes for actors at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, such as the healing techniques for actors and the reiki class, can visit their website, or contact them by phone or via email.
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For more information about Maggie Flanigan Studio, contact the company here:
Maggie Flanigan Studio
Charlie Sandlan
(917) 789-1599
studio@maggieflaniganstudio.com
153 W 27th St #803 New York, New York 10001
