Getting to Zero: Embodying the Pause - Part 1
The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
Release Date: 05/04/2025
Masked I Advanced: The Price & Power of Facial Expressions
The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
Hosts: Matthew Ellenwood (EmoVerity, Ellenwood Studios) Berit Elizabeth (Emotive Agility Training) Summary: In this episode, Matthew and Berit explore the price and power of facial expressions in both performance and everyday life. They discuss how nonverbal communication—especially facial expressions—can be used intentionally to connect with others, regulate emotions, and navigate complex social situations. Key Topics: • The three components of emotion: subjective experience, physiological response, and expressive response. • Emotional granularity: understanding and naming nuanced...
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Navigating Boundaries with Performer Techniques: The Zero State - Part Two
The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
In the first episode of the Edge of the Stage Podcast, hosts Matthew Ellenwood and Berit Elizabeth dive into the concept of the Zero State, a centering technique originating from performance training that helps individuals connect with themselves and others with purpose and presence. The first episode focused on two of four physical elements of Zero: Eyes + Breath, and this current episode focuses on the next two elements: Face + Body. In this second episode, the hosts explore how the Zero State can be applied to hold boundaries in challenging situations, both in personal and professional...
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Getting to Zero: Embodying the Pause - Part 1
The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
Getting to Zero: Embodying the Pause (Ep. 1) Welcome to the first episode of 'The Edge of the Stage podcast: Life Lessons from Performance Training.' Hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce the concept of 'Zero,' a state of focused readiness critical for both performers and professionals. Learn practical techniques for achieving Zero, hear the science behind it, and explore the emotional intelligence framework that makes it possible. Matthew demonstrates how to access this state quickly through breath and eye exercises, while Berit links it to professional and personal settings....
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Intro Episode: Living at the Edge of the Stage
The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
Edge of the Stage Podcast: Bridging Performance Training and Everyday Life In the inaugural episode of the Edge of the Stage podcast, hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce their unique podcast that explores how performance training techniques can be used in everyday life for emotional regulation and personal development. They discuss the origin of their collaboration, their backgrounds, and the performance methodologies that have influenced their work, such as Emotive Agility Training and EmoVerity Training. They introduce the four pillars that will guide the podcast's themes:...
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Trailer: The Edge of the Stage Podcast
The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
Introducing The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training In this trailer episode, hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce 'The Edge of the Stage,' a podcast blending performance training techniques with everyday life strategies. They discuss the importance of maintaining composure in high-stakes conversations at work, using a humorous clip to illustrate the concept of having a 'game face.' They emphasize emotional intelligence and the benefits of performance training for professionals and everyday scenarios. The episode also introduces the show's structure,...
info_outlineGetting to Zero: Embodying the Pause (Ep. 1)
Welcome to the first episode of 'The Edge of the Stage podcast: Life Lessons from Performance Training.' Hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce the concept of 'Zero,' a state of focused readiness critical for both performers and professionals.
Learn practical techniques for achieving Zero, hear the science behind it, and explore the emotional intelligence framework that makes it possible. Matthew demonstrates how to access this state quickly through breath and eye exercises, while Berit links it to professional and personal settings. This episode also delves into the significance of Zero in performance training and its distinction from the term 'neutral.' Join us to unlock the art of the full body pause and navigate intense emotions with composure and confidence.
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Matthew Ellenwood - Ellenwood Studios: @ellenwood_studios
Berit Elizabeth - Emotive Agility: @emotiveagility
LINKS and Show Notes
📁 Establishing a Baseline handout - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOwLz4bLsxyeahOoFKtMn-QReKfZbbvQ/view?usp=drive_link
0️⃣ Challenging Actor's Neutrality - https://www.onstageblog.com/industry/2021/4/26/challenging-actors-neutrality
🎭 Normalizing Non-Neutral: Towards an Inclusive Acting Pedagogy - https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/9989ba04-2e11-4922-9996-88618b9197b7/content
❤️ Resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia is related to emotion reactivity to social-evaluative stress https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032722011065
🫁 Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397/full
👁️🗨️ Vision and Breathing May Be the Secrets to Surviving 2020 - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vision-and-breathing-may-be-the-secrets-to-surviving-2020/
👁️ Study reveals how breathing regulates pupil size and vision - https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250221/Study-reveals-how-breathing-regulates-pupil-size-and-vision.aspx
🟪 Schechner's Rasaboxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFPupoTR91o
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Concept of Zero
02:08 Defining Zero in Artistic and Professional Contexts
06:19 The Importance of Training for Zero
07:28 Understanding Zero vs. Neutral
10:17 Assessing Your State Before Reaching Zero
12:59 Practical Applications and Challenges of Zero
19:02 Real-Life Scenarios and the Need for Zero
21:38 Baseline State Exercise
21:57 Assessing Your Environment and Social Context
22:42 Body Awareness and Energy Levels
23:25 Mental Focus and Curiosity
24:08 Summarizing the Baseline
25:10 Introduction to Zero State Components
25:22 Breathing Techniques for Zero State
27:41 Eye Techniques for Zero State
30:50 Scientific Insights on Emotional Regulation
38:00 Rasaboxes and Shanta: Performance Techniques
43:32 Conclusion and Next Steps