Strings, Spirituality and Stillness
On the Creativity Found podcast, Jennifer Roig-Francolí shares her journey from a young violinist finding solace in her art, to a place of spiritual exploration and self-discovery.
From Soloist Ambition to Spiritual Search
Jennifer Roig-Francolí grew up in an incredibly creative environment, and was highly focused on the violin from the age of four, having asked for one when she was only two. She was taught using the Suzuki method, which emphasizes learning through listening, imitating and repetition.i
As a child, Jennifer’s goal was firm: she had ‘absolutely no doubt’ that she would become an international violin soloist. She performed frequently, often winning competitions and playing as a soloist with orchestras. The violin was vital to her, serving as a medium where she felt ‘it was easy to be myself and express myself,’ something she found difficult to do verbally. Music became her emotional refuge and spiritual sustenance.
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However, the trajectory changed quickly at age 19, when she met her future husband, who introduced her to spirituality and contemplative practices like meditation. Suddenly, she felt she had words for what she had been seeking all along, feeling she ‘didn’t need the violin any more’ in the same way.
The Onset of Frustration and the Mind-Body Split
Jennifer began playing in orchestras, something she had never wanted to do. She found this environment challenging, since she was used to expressing her own voice but was now taught that ‘if you can hear yourself, you’re playing too loud’. Trying to make herself ‘quieter and smaller’ was difficult to adapt to. She gradually became less happy and more frustrated.
Looking back, Jennifer recognizes she had adopted an unhealthy mindset: a mind-body split. She believed mental activities were superior to physical ones and that the body was unimportant spiritually. Jennifer realized she was ‘not using my creativity much at all’.
Healing and the Alexander Technique
Seeking relief from stubborn neck pain, Jennifer was persuaded to try the Alexander Technique. She found the right teacher and within a few lessons her neck pain was completely gone. She was ‘blown away’ by the change, feeling freer, more mobile, and happier.
Jennifer explains that the Alexander Technique fundamentally involves understanding how your thoughts influence how you experience yourself in your body. The body, she notes, is innocent and simply reflects the creations of the mind; tension and contraction often stem from fear responses.
The Art of Freedom
This foundational technique helped Jennifer reconnect with her violin, a process that took many years. She had a moment of profound realization during a lesson, playing open strings and humming, where she recognized the act as a heartfelt prayer – an expression of her connection to her creative spirit. She has since returned to solo performing and recorded a solo album.
Today, Jennifer teaches the Art of Freedom Method for Conscious Living and Masterful Artistry. This expanded methodology uses five life pillars: Purpose, Mind, Body, Spirit, and Artistry, where artistry is the creative pursuit of living.
Her focus, which she shares in a live demonstration with me on the podcast, is on being present and curious, paying attention to what is happening inside yourself in the moment. Jennifer demonstrates that simply noticing tension without trying to immediately change it is the first easy step, which can instantly lead to a feeling of calm.
Ready to Listen?
To hear Jennifer’s full journey, including the moment she received permission to consider quitting the violin, and to learn more about how you can integrate mind-body awareness into your life, listen to the full Creativity Found episode here or wherever you like to consume podcasts!