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Listen to our clients and their experience finding life-long wellness.
In this video, we interview internationally acclaimed violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn. She shares how to effectively cope with stress, be calmer and more efficient as a CEO, and live a more joyful life.
ELIZABETH PITCAIRN is the CEO of Luzerne Music Center & International Classical Violinist. She plays a beautiful 300-year-old Stradivarius, the famous “Red Violin”.
TRANSCRIPT:
Elizabeth:
It’s wonderful to be here with you today. I perform the violin around the world. And I also am in music education with the Luzerne Music Center in upstate New York. It’s for children ages nine to 18. And that is my summer passion and the rest of the year, touring exploring the globe. I’ve played concerts in Carnegie Hall, the Academy of Music, Verizon Hall, in many countries in Europe, including Hungary, Czech Republic, Ukraine. Serbia debut coming up many concerts in Poland, as far as Hong Kong and southern China. And it was always a lifetime dream to travel the world with my very special violin, the Stradivarius 1720 called the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius.
Dayana:
Would you mind sharing a little bit about how we came together? How did you find me? What made you curious about working with me perhaps?
Elizabeth:
Yes, well, it was definitely a highlight of the pandemic, actually, for me. Because of the pandemic, I was at home where I grew up in Bucks County. But after years and years of touring, it had taken its toll both emotionally and physically on me as a person. And when life sort of slowed down, it was a chance to take a look and really study. I was in a place mentally where I really wanted to learn and grow. And so then you came into my life. And you immediately made some, you educated me about certain things to do specifically with stress hormones. Right away, and just you explaining that made it so clear, to know what to look for and why these things were happening and what was causing it. And then I believe it was just right after that, that I called you and asked you if we could start sessions together. And then we went on a whole journey for well over a year before I started touring again. And I just feel that it changed so much. From so many perspectives, that was not only healing of what came before, but also a new direction, a new journey of adding to the music and adding to the expression and it’s also interconnected. And you showed me that so I don’t know why what brought us together. But I think I know what brought us together, it was finding, really finding you when I needed your help. You explained to me that sometimes the body produces the stress hormones out of proportion to the issue at hand. So it was almost addicted to, That’s what you said, to spiking to the hormone spiking out of control, even though it might be a small issue. They were overreacting. And as soon as you said that I stopped the caffeine. I started noticing when I would feel the stress welling up inside me and I knew what to look for. And it took a couple of weeks to actually simmer it down and start to control it. But once you pointed out what was happening, it was so freeing to know what it was and what to look for. And hence how to identify it and keep it at bay. And I have to say it hardly ever happens anymore. After a year I’m so grateful that at a professional standpoint I feel that our work together has helped me to be a much better CEO and have a very efficient, friendly atmosphere at work with the staff. And musically as touring has began again, you’ve helped me raise my playing to a whole new level that transcends anything I had done before. Healed some past injuries. And brought out a new musical approach that I’ll be using for the next 20 years.
Dayana:
For someone listening and wondering if this is for them. They could be a musician or they could be a high performer in other areas. What would you say to them? What kind of advice would you give them? If they’re considering working with me?
Elizabeth:
Well, if they are lucky enough to be able to come to Bucks County or Princeton, wherever you are, I think it’s worth it. I got so much out of just even the first few sessions with you and I was lucky enough to be nearby and be able to continue but sometimes we would also speak on the phone. For someone who’s looking for areas that could enhance their life and their performance and their business and even their romantic emotional life, I feel that you are a person who incorporates all of those areas and they’re all connected and you and you taught me that about those connections.
Dayana:
Amazing. Tell me a little bit about the violin because it’s its own unique instrument, right?
Elizabeth:
It is. It was made in 1720 in Cremona, Italy by Antonio Stradivari. He was 76 years old when he made it. Spruce and maple top. It came from the family von Mendelssohn in Berlin in the 1920s, it was played by Lily von Mendelssohn who was the daughter of the family. She was tragically killed in a car accident. But her children survived, and the violin survived. Then it was at a private collection in New York City for 45 years before it was anonymously put on the auction block. I was a very lucky 16 year old, almost 17 year old violin, very serious young violinist at the time in 1990, when it came up, secretly at auction at Christie’s. Set a world record auction price, no one knew where the violin went. So it’s been with me now 32 years, and it just celebrated its 300th birthday in 2020. And as you can see, it’s in remarkable conditions, a lot of the original Red varnish on the top and this exquisite back. So one of the really finest examples of Stradivari and, and where it really shows, is in the large concert hall, when it reaches the last person and has an incredible carrying power to fill the hall.
Dayana:
If you were to name just the main benefits, that you got out of our relationship?
Elizabeth:
I feel that it actually impacted my life in a positive way, in so many areas. I think that the staff at camp and all the board members would say that I’m much calmer and more pleasant to be around and much more trusting and open with people, you know less defensive, less reactionary. So it’s just become such a wonderful environment because of that. And we accomplished a huge renovation project during the pandemic very successfully. And then in family relationships, it helps, it helps to be able to listen to what people say, and sort of be calm enough to hear them, not react. And try and understand their point of view where they’re coming from and actually de-escalate the situation, and maybe you hear it less defensively and that’s not at all what they meant. And otherwise you would have potentially caused an argument or have had hurt feelings. And so I just feel so much better about that. I think most people can identify with a relationship with a parent that might have been somewhat contentious growing up. And then to transition to adults is just a wonderful thing. And in my case, that was my relationship with my mother, who was a very accomplished musician and gave me everything all my life to make sure I became a great musician and to really be able to appreciate her and what she has to offer. And change that was a great gift that you gave me. What else? Oh, there’s the music, of course, the playing, you know, the relationship with this wood which, but it’s really kind of alive in a way, right? It has a spirit, the two of us, the relationship of the child, the young person who grew up practicing many hours a day. Loving it, but also they’re maybe experiencing a little trauma in the process of being asked to practice for five hours a day from a young age, and giving up so much and feeling the pressure that it takes to, you know, to compete and to be good. And pressure on yourself to be good enough. And then to come back to it and just feel the love to let go of that. Like you said one of the most profound things you said “Come back, forget all of that. Just forget it. You still know, you still come back and you play your instrument. It’s just minus all of those memories.” And that was so freeing was a turning truly a turning point in my life. I learned how to ask in a positive manner for what I need to be calmer. And trust that trust in the good things that can come to you by asking. There’s so many things I have to think of them.
Dayana:
Thank you so so much. is there anything that I haven’t asked? Or that you want to share? Or requests? Or how could I improve my services? Anything you want to share?
Elizabeth:
Oh, I would just say, if I could see you every day I would. You could come with me on the tour.
Dayana:
I love that. I’ll consider that. That sounds good, actually. I haven’t seen that much Europe. That’s great, where are you playing next?
Elizabeth:
Um, we’re planning concerts in Serbia. I’ll be making my debut in Belgrade. Huge hall there. Southern France and Spain in September. And Warsaw, with the Chamber Orchestra. There’s so much appreciation in Europe and and then we always find the wonderful young students in those countries. We hear them play and then we connect them with sponsors in the US and sometimes those countries and it’s just a great way to nurture young people’s careers and keep this wonderful art going.
Dayana:
Thank you. You’re an amazing person and I am blessed working with you. It goes both ways.
Elizabeth:
It’s a wonderful friendship we have.
How JACK MORRASH, former CFO of PennEngineering went from suffering from debilitating hip pain for 40 years to living without pain, playing stronger tennis, and having calm self-confidence while presenting to his shareholders.
TRANSCRIPT:
Jack:
I guess it was probably three or four years ago that we met, right? Yeah, before I arrived, I was thinking about how many sessions we may have had together. And I think over that three year period, it was probably close to 200 sessions or so.
Dayana:
Wow.
Jack:
Yeah. So I think just that, in itself speaks really well for you and what you’ve been able to do for me, and I’m, you know, really glad to be able to share that experience.
Dayana:
Thank you, Jack.
Jack:
Yeah, our coming together came at a very opportune time for me. I was at the end of my 45 year career. Over the course of 45 years, I had various financial positions, always increasing in responsibility. And the last 25 years or so I served as a chief financial officer of several companies. Two of them were public companies, and one of them was a private company. So I had a fairly high stress job. But at the same time, I also loved what I did, it’s like a love-hate relationship. Right? You know, I would say that, you know, I was motivated a lot by the challenge of the work, right, and making a difference. In being able to, to add value to a situation where you have a company, or part of a company, that’s, you know, here and we want to take it there, right. And being part of a solution, and contributing to the growth is what really motivated me. And that’s not a low stress process, but the rewards are very high. And I think that’s what keeps you coming back.
Dayana:
If you don’t mind sharing with our viewers, what were you looking for when you found me? How, what made you curious about working together?
Jack:
I can remember back to actually, and then in the 80s, I was in my 20s and lying in bed with hip pain. And just wondering at the time, if that was something that I was going to have to live with, for the rest of my life. And then over the course of the 40 years, which followed that I sought help from doctors, from chiropractors, from massage therapists, acupuncturists, personal trainers, you know, whatever would, I felt there was a possibility of getting help, I looked for it. My hip pain was a result of an accident that I had at the age of 12. Actually, I ran into a moving car and hit primarily with my hip and that was the source of the pain. So I mean, over these over that period of time with all these practitioners, I you know, I did get some relief, but I was always living with some level of chronic pain.
Dayana:
What’s the pain getting in the way of anything at work, at home, your hobbies?
Jack:
Well, yeah, I mean, I’m an active tennis player. And I, I play the game pretty, I would say aggressively. I mean over the course of an hour and a half of a doubles match, I could cover maybe a mile and a half or so. So yeah, it was definitely something that was affecting me on the court for sure. And, and then just every day, you know, shoveling snow or you know, sometimes just walking? Yeah, it was fairly persistent.
Dayana:
What are the main benefits of our work together, of our collaboration, over the course of these years?
Jack:
So I would say that, with the Feldenkrais Method, the connection between student and practitioner is critical. Because it’s a mutual exploration. I’d like to call it. It’s a search for what’s possible. How can we reprogram my movement, your movement, in a way, which will reduce the pain and give me the freedom to do what I want to do? Effectively, pain free.
Dayana:
That was the main benefit, the reprogramming that we did.
Jack:
That was the reprogramming. Yes. Yeah.
Dayana:
Did you see an application of that in other areas? Perhaps mindset, behavior, at home, at work?
Jack:
It’s been a tremendous learning experience for me, and has affected really all aspects of my life. So I would say I don’t stand the same. I don’t walk the same. I play tennis a little bit different. And even my vision on the court has improved. And that’s something that we worked on, is it’s very easy to get a narrow focus in a sporting activity like that. And what you’ve allowed me to do is just open up my field of vision, which has tremendous benefits. So well, one of the responsibilities that I had in my last position was presenting our annual financial results and our plan for the next year to our shareholders, you know, which required me to stand up in front of about, you know, 150, folks, or so who are all very sophisticated investors. And, for me, those kinds of public presentations always brought anxiety. And I think it was just in passing that I mentioned that to you. And you gave me two bits of advice, which, you know, I still use today, which helped tremendously. One was to ground myself, right. To get my feet firm on the ground, and just to feel that connection with the earth. And then the second one was the power of the pause. Right. So, you know, my presentation was pretty much scripted. But I, you know, I inserted these pauses just to take a moment in time, and to breathe, and to let my body weight just connect me to the ground. And I remember, I couldn’t wait to get back to you to tell you just how much that helped. And I also remember, you know, standing at the podium, and I just took like about maybe three seconds, to feel my feet on the ground, and to just put myself in a solid position. In a non vulnerable position. Yeah, that was excellent.
Dayana:
For somebody that is on the other side of the screen, wondering if this is for them, or who to choose to work with, they know they want to work with somebody, and they don’t know if this is if they want to work with me. So what would you recommend them? What would you advise?
Jack:
Well, I have a lot of experience, I think, to draw on, to answer that question. And I would say that what I’ve learned over the course of the last 40 years is that caring goes with healing. So when you’re out there and you’re looking for help, it’s really important to keep that in mind. And my experience with you over the last three years in the 200 sessions that we’ve had is that I don’t sincerely believe you can find a more caring person than Dayana. At many levels, not only with regard to my personal health, but also broader than that. So when you combine your tremendous quality, for caring with your technical knowledge and your ability to focus, what you have is just a very effective healer. And that’s what we want.
Dayana:
Thank you so much.
Jack:
That’s what we need.
Dayana:
For someone that is looking and thinking 300, 200 sessions, two years. Do I need to stay that long to see an effect? They will see results pretty quickly that somebody needs to stay with it for three years to see a change. Like what was your experience? And be honest, really.
Jack:
Okay, yeah. So I was fortunate enough to get a benefit right from the beginning. And I just remember the end of our first session, and just feeling this energy flow through my body. Really right from my head just down to my through my legs and back again. And you know, I immediately went home and shared that with Lisa. You know, just what a wonderful experience it was and she was so thankful as well. So why have I explored or why have I continued for over 200 sessions? I would say that I’ve taken the practice beyond its original intent. So the original intent was to address my chronic pain, which I would say, you know, we addressed pretty quickly. Could, if we were to start over, could be addressed in a lot less than 200 sessions, and have now taken it to a deeper level where I’m able to benefit from the calming it brings to me . From the positive effect that it has on my nervous system. I really never would have anticipated that benefit. But that’s what keeps me coming back is just the tremendous improvement in my self and my being that I’ve experienced.
Dayana:
That is wonderful. Would you say that you have now a set of principles or a roadmap to yourself that when you are confronted with a situation in life, you may have a challenge, you open a new business, from the time that we were started working together. Would you say that you have a way to apply these principles and have your body react in a way that is more either effective or healthy? Without me there working it for you.
Jack:
Yes. Oh, yeah, definitely. Yeah. So just to give you an example, like, if you’re, if you’re in a small conference room, you know, and you’re in a situation that is bringing you some anxiety, just opening up your field of vision, right? Will have a calming effect on your nervous system. When we’re in those high stress situations, we tend to be hyper focused, which just increases the intensity of the anxiety and just opening it up. Opening your field of vision will have a tremendously calming effect. Well, I mean, that’s the benefit of so many sessions is that it becomes just second nature. Yeah, so I was like, it was very early in the morning, it may have been like, maybe five or six o’clock in the morning, I was still half asleep. And I just found myself doing these very small micro movements that we’ve done in our sessions to free up the tension in my shoulder. You know, what, which just seven weeks ago, I had surgery on. Yeah, that’s the benefit of keeping it going. Yeah, it becomes second nature.
Dayana:
Very good. Anything else that I haven’t asked that you want to share?
Jack:
I would just encourage people to try. Right? I mean, a very low cost of trying. And if you’re as fortunate as I’ve been, the benefit will be obvious, I think pretty quickly.
Dayana:
Thank you so much, Jack. I appreciate it.
Jack:
Yeah, you’re welcome.
How Ellen Burrows, former Litigation and Arbitration Attorney managed her shoulder and knee pain and strengthened her body as she prepared for a challenging hike in Alaska.
TRANSCRIPT:
Dayana:
Ellen, thank you so much for being here.
Ellen:
Oh you’re welcome.
Dayana:
I appreciate you so much. And I am so happy to ask you a few questions so you can share with our viewers about our experience working together. So first of all, would you mind sharing who you are and what you do or what you used to do for work when we met?
Ellen:
Sure. My name is Ellen. Ellen Parros. I am a retired attorney, I practiced for over 30 years doing reinsurance litigation and arbitration in New York and Philadelphia. And then a couple years ago, I retired and I’m now taking care of my husband who has dementia. So that’s kind of my semi full time occupation now.
Dayana:
Thank you for sharing that. And how did we meet what brought you to our practice working together?
Ellen:
We first met a couple of years ago, I believe in the spring of 2019. I was trying to get ready to go on a hiking trip with my daughter in Alaska. And I had had a pretty significant problem with a pinched nerve and irritated nerve root in my cervical thoracic spine that was giving me excruciating pain. And I had been to chiropractors, I had three injections of steroids in my spine. And I had started working with Collin, Collin Kurtz at KORU to start, you know, building up some physical strength as I was able so that it wouldn’t irritate that. And he suggested that I add Feldenkrais to that mix to help improve my overall stability and pain management in that area. And so I started seeing you.
Dayana:
Do you remember, what was the main benefit? Or what did we do together?
Ellen:
I remember. So at the time that I started doing Feldenkrais sessions, the steroid injections had definitely helped. And they were improving the situation. But there was an ongoing pain, ongoing irritation, and it was increased with any level of activity that I did. I remember the first session that we had, was kind of a remarkable shift. It was just a really, I felt lighter, I felt like, I was able to move and be in a way that I hadn’t for a long time, and not just because of that one cervical spine issue, but generally. And then I started going to Feldenkrais classes from time to time. And I also started seeing you from time to time. And what I found is, is that I learned techniques that allow me to maintain my lack of pain, maintain my you know, my ability to be more mobile to be more active, without impingement. And that I was learning things to do at home that I actually did. If I, for example, I could go for a while, and I’d be fine. And I’d feel like my shoulders and my back and the issues I was having there, start to creep in again. And I’d be like, “Oh, I know what to do.” And I could do it, and it would put me back on an even keel, and then I could move forward. Yeah, that was one thing that was really, really significant for me was that I could help- I could manage this myself. I would still see you because that was really helpful too. Every time kind of like brought me up to a little bit of a level that was higher and better. But you know, a lot of the other treatments and modalities that I’d done, you feel good for the moment, but then you’re back to where you were. And I didn’t. And I didn’t experience that with Feldenkrais.
Dayana:
Thank you. One quick question. If you were somebody on the other side of the camera, considering Is this for me, should I make the decision? Would it be so hard to follow? Like, what would you say to somebody that is deciding and ready to pull the trigger, but not quite there yet.
Ellen:
I can’t imagine who wouldn’t benefit! I really couldn’t. I think if you come to it with an open mind and awareness that the things that I learned to do the movements, the techniques that I do at home are pretty simple, pretty straightforward. I’m not somebody who’s, you know, who’s super regimented, or super disciplined about all that sort of thing. And still, it was really, really helpful to me and, you know, just small things or slight things that I learned I could, I could go back to and you know, would get me back to an even keel. And you know, for even keel for me is being able to be active, being able to move being able to do everyday things and also, you know, play pickleball and go for hikes without it causing pain.
Dayana:
Right? I remember recently you had a knee injury.
Ellen:
Yes.
Dayana:
And we noticed that some of the same things we were doing before that were applicable to your shoulder and neck, were helpful as well. Right in terms of body alignment and stress management.
Ellen:
I tore my MCL partially and, you know, was finding I went to rehab and was doing physical therapy. But the adjunct that I got from you really did help with that, to get beyond that point where you’re 90% better, but there’s still nagging pain. So we got beyond that. And that was really helpful.
Dayana:
Yeah, that’s meaningful, because life will keep happening, right? So you get stronger, you feel better you go for a walk. And before you know your dog is pulling, right? Wasn’t that what happened and then your knee was off?
Ellen:
Yeah, no, I got I was, I actually taken my daughter’s puppy to a dog park and got taken out by a Great Dane.
Dayana:
I remember. Exactly.
Ellen:
Yeah, it was not good.
Dayana:
So this is the whole point when life happens, we have a roadmap. Thank you so much for that. And then lastly, what is something that you wish that I would do better? Or something else that I haven’t asked or, I don’t know, request? Secret wish? How could I make my practice even better? My services better?
Ellen:
That’s, that’s kind of a tough one. I can’t really think of too much to say.
Dayana:
That’s ok.
Ellen:
But no, it was. It’s been very, very helpful. I’m very glad to be able to get back to the personal sessions.
Dayana:
Thank you so much. Anything else you want to share with the viewers anything else?
Ellen:
I would say seriously, though, that Feldenkrais has been really eye opening for me in terms of what the possibilities are, and things that I wouldn’t necessarily have thought were possible for me have become so. The continuing ease that I feel in my upper back and spine that I hadn’t felt for years. So that was a big eye opener. That was a big benefit for me. So thank you,
Dayana:
Thank you so much. Yes, I appreciate you.
Ellen:
You’re welcome. And same, thank you.
Dayana:
Great.
True wellness is being physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy, allowing you to be your best self and respond to life’s challenges at any age.
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