Health/Wellness/Adaptations

There are techniques for maintaining your ability to play without pain and to make you more aware of what is happening with your body. Below are some ideas for exploring.

  • Aerobics, strength training and stretching

  • Body-mapping

    Body Mapping is the conscious correcting and refining of one’s body map to produce efficient, coordinated, effective movement. Body Mapping not only helps musicians avoid injury; it also enhances musicians’ technique. Developed by Alexander Technique teacher Barbara Conable, the Body Mapping curriculum was developed to train musicians to teach the course "What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body."  

  • Massage

    Benefits of massage (from Mayo Clinic)

  • Yoga

    Benefits of yoga

    Yoga for Musicians (Jenni Brandon)

  • Breathing techniques

    There are many sources for the many practices. Some breathing techniques help relieve stress; others are practices for increasing lung capacity and breath control.

  • Meditation/Mindfulness

    There are many sources for meditation practice and the benefits to mind, body and spirit.

  • Feldenkrais

    The Feldenkrais Method is based on principles of physics, biomechanics, and an empirical understanding of learning and human development. Moshe Feldenkrais said, “We move according to our perceived self-image.” By expanding your perception and increasing awareness, you will become more aware of your habits and tensions and develop new ways of moving. By increasing sensitivity, the Feldenkrais Method assists you to live your life more fully, efficiently, and comfortably.

  • Alexander Technique

    The Alexander Technique is an educational method used worldwide for well over 100 years. By teaching how to change faulty postural habits, it enables improved mobility, posture, performance and alertness along with relief of chronic stiffness, tension and stress.