Yoga in the Music Studio

Abstract

Abstract The ancient practice of yoga, which has exploded in popularity in the United States over the past two decades, has the potential to help music students learn to practice more mindfully and reach peak performance more quickly. This book explores how professional musicians and music teachers of all instruments and levels can use yoga postures (asana) and breath work (pranayama) to enhance artistry. It begins with an overview of yoga philosophy and history before delving into principles of movement, alignment, anatomy, and breath. Following a research-oriented chapter illustrating the cognitive, physical, and emotional benefits of yoga, each chapter explores the unique benefits of yoga for a particular population of students, describing specific poses, modifications, sequences, and sample curricula that teachers can immediately implement into private lessons or group classes. Chapter Four describes the developmental benefits of yoga and music education in early childhood and includes a sample eight-week preschool music curriculum. Chapter Five on the adolescent student explains how yoga can alleviate stress related to social and performance anxiety, enhance mindfulness, and increase peer support in a music studio. Chapter Six, for professional musicians and college students, describes how yoga can prevent or alleviate repetitive stress injuries and other physical symptoms. The final chapter offers ideas for appropriate modifications for the retired adult along with a sample eight-week curriculum to combine yoga with Recreational Music Making. Throughout the book, yoga is presented as a tool for reducing physical tension and anxiety while simultaneously improving body awareness, enhancing cognition, and helping music students to achieve peak performance.