太
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why tai chi for musicians
minimise injuries
Musicians often suffer injuries caused by repetitive strain and overuse, usually laid over the top of underlying tension and postural issues.
Through the practice of Tai Chi and related exercises awareness of the body is heightened, allowing for the letting go of unconscious holding and tension.
This allows for a much more relaxed and neutral posture which can improve efficiency of movement.
reduce stress and fatigue
Long hours of practice and performance can be stressful and exhausting for both the body and mind.
As a mindfulness practice, Tai Chi can help harmonize the nervous system, bringing a sense of centred and alert calm.
It also balances and strengthens the body, giving a relaxed stamina.
enrich your playing
Clearly if you limit your injuries, stress, and fatigue, your playing will have the opportunity to improve, but Tai Chi offers more than this. As an embodied mindfulness practice, it is ideal for bringing more awareness to the body, and more presence of mind. This can increase poise, physical sensitivity, and alertness.
This harmonisation of body and mind, relaxed yet alert, can bring a new dimension to your playing.
workshops
I am currently based in London, and am available for workshops worldwide
postural awareness
One of the main foundations of Tai Chi practice is postural awareness. Through practicing the simple movements that conform to the natural bio-mechanics of the body, it's as if ones posture is put under a magnifying glass, with any imbalances and habits of holding being shown in stark relief.
Recognizing and understanding ones postural tendencies are the first steps to being able to change them, and bring the body back to a more neutral position.
relaxation
As ones awareness beings to deepen, one uncovers a large amount of unconscious tension within the body. This is within many important muscle groups, and in particular within the joints. This holding inside the joints hinders free and spontaneous movement of the limbs.
Consistent practice allows for the gradual softening and letting go of this chronic holding. The practice also allows for a dynamic relaxation, staying relaxed while in activity and movement.
stretching
As the muscles relax and the holding softens, it allows the for body to start 'opening'.
The oral tradition of Tai Chi states this gentle stretching happens throughout the connective tissues of the body, including the tendons and fascia
breathing
Through the practice of Tai Chi, one learns to maintain the breathing in a deep a steady state even when being active. This deep, diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to support the body's natural state of rest and repair.
By avoiding fast, shallow breathing, stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system is minimized, so discouraging the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
embodied mindfulness
Like other eastern arts, Tai Chi is a wonderful practice for becoming more mindful, deepening ones awareness of the present moment, and not getting disturbed by the chattering of the mind.
However, unlike many sedentary mindfulness practices, it utilizes awareness of the body as a tool for developing this. Working through the body in this way creates a beautiful harmonization of mind and body, with the synthesis elevating both.