Stepping Into the Unknown: The Discomfort and Joy of Learning.

Learning something new can be incredibly exciting. It sparks curiosity, brings inspiration, and opens up possibilities you hadn’t imagined. But let’s be honest, it can also be uncomfortable.

I’m in exactly that kind of discomfort (and excitement at the same time) right now. I’m doing a Doctorate (PhD) at the Centre for Music Physiology at the University of Music and performing Arts in Vienna. And to do this, I need to learn statistics! While my end goal, doing research, is something I’m genuinely passionate about, the process to get there challenges me when learning general statistics through a Stanford University course.

Right now, I’m watching module 6 out of 12, and the topic is the Central Limit Theorem. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, not quite. As I listen and realize I don’t understand every single step, I feel discomfort rising inside. Especially because it involves complex mathematic formulas that I haven’t heard of since high school, more than 30 years ago!! So because of this experience, I feel a need to switch tabs and do something else (distraction from the heavy task). And, full disclosure, that “something else” became writing this post, a very conscious distraction, LOL!

Ironically, writing Newsletters and Blogs have often induced similar emotions of resistance as it can be difficult to sit down and share my experiences with thousands of musicians, but these now seem like a grain of sand in comparison to the rock in front of me right now. I’m glad to be very conscious about my own choice in this, because I really want to learn statistics, and I look forward to moving ahead, despite the inevitable resistance on the way necessary to grow and challenge my perceptions and current status.

But this discomfort got me thinking about the musicians I work with. Many of them come to learn Timani after years away from any formal study, diving back into anatomy and movement science over a 3-year certification course. For some, it’s been decades since they last opened a textbook. And now, they’re preparing for exams and presentations. That takes courage!

They often face the same inner resistance I’m feeling now. But they get through it in great ways, gaining a deep embodied understanding of how the body works in relation to playing and singing, something that transforms not just performance, but also teaching and health.

Choosing to step into the unknown and return to learning is a bold move. In the Timani Certification Course at the Musicians’ Health and Movement Institute, we honor that decision. We support our students every step of the way. Still, the true drive must come from within each person knowing their own motivation and goal of the tasks ahead.

Why do they do it? Our students are 50/50 music performers and teachers from 17 different countries all around the world. Some are physiotherapists and some become music physiology teachers at universities and high schools. The teachers feel the responsibility to truly understand their students' physical challenges. The performers are looking for more reliable technical and musical solutions. Some are simply tired of dealing with recurring pain and want tools to prepare the body for the long haul.

When we look at the results from surveys and studies of the method, the benefits can go far beyond the technical and musical; increased calm, better stage presence, improved self-confidence, and the empowering knowledge to deal with discomfort and pain.

As pianist Leif Ove Andsnes writes in the foreword to Unleashing the Potential of the Musician’s Body:

“Sometimes, we just need to jump into the unfamiliar to create change and new possibilities. … It can be challenging and confusing to explore new territory, especially when it involves a passion into which we’ve invested so much of ourselves … but with an anatomical understanding, I feel secure in knowing that the way I now play is both strengthening and preventive of additional overuse injuries.”…” I encourage all musicians to seek broader knowledge about the potential of the body in relation to performing music.»

As one of our students recently wrote:

“I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I learned how to listen to my body. Now, I feel stronger, calmer, and more in control, both in my practice room and on stage.”

In the end, stepping into the unknown is never easy, but it’s often where the most meaningful growth happens. For me in my PhD journey, and for the musicians who choose to explore Timani as a path to healthier, more effortless playing.

👉 Ready to learn more?
Visit timanicertificationcourse.com to explore the full program, or check the course calendar at timani.no to find upcoming start dates and information sessions.