Abstract
The second workshop designed for music students and their teachers.
These workshops served as a pre-research of the needs of music students, as an introduction to the yoga method for musicians, and, based on their immediate feedback, as a validation of whether and how the method is beneficial for students. The workshops also became the venue for recruiting volunteer piano students for my 4-month qualitative research.
These workshops fill, at least in part, the gap in prevention of the problems faced by a high percentage of music students who are often forced to interrupt or abandon their studies due to chronic pain. Neither secondary nor higher music education in the country is systematically dedicated to preventing or addressing this problem. The demand from students and teachers for a functional solution is therefore great. For this reason, I have included these "awareness" workshops and interaction with students on this topic in my research project supported by the UK Grants Agency. In the form of an experiential, hands-on workshop interspersed with theory, I introduce participants to the basic principles of yoga, mindful movement and relaxation. No previous yoga experience or physical fitness is required to participate. Using selected yoga postures and breathing techniques, I practically show participants the benefits of yoga and explain what all yoga can help us musicians with. This gives everyone the opportunity to try out the different techniques. on their own bodies. Participants take away from the workshop practical tips for hand exercises, a short warm-up before playing, stretching after playing and instructions for a simple breathing technique suitable for improving concentration, managing stress and music performance anxiety.