5 life-changing mind/body resources for musicians

Being a musician comes with many stresses, both physical and psychological. The injury rate for musicians is very high. Performance anxiety is frequently debilitating. Medical intervention, physical therapy, and psychological therapy are potent options for musicians, but there are many other non-medical resources available that have helped many musicians. Here is a short list of five life-changing resources for mind/body explorations.

The Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is now taught in many universities and conservatories. Discovered and developed by F. M. Alexander, an Australian actor, Alexander Technique helps reduce or eliminate pain, manage stress, and improve movement. Several organizations exist in the US: the American Society for the Alexander Technique is the largest professional organization of certified Alexander Technique Teachers in the United States.  https://alexandertechnique.com/  is a comprehensive resource for learning about AT. Alexander Technique International  lists teachers in many countries on six continents.  Alexander Alliance Europe  offers teacher training, post graduate training, personal and professional development, retreats, workshops and private lessons. Alexander Technique Worldwide lists twenty affiliate organizations by country. 

Body Mapping

A prominent teacher of the Alexander Technique, Barbara Conable, developed the movement modality known as Body Mapping. In contrast with Alexander Technique, which is a “hands on” practice, Body Mapping seeks to teach musicians to refine the internal representation of their bodies— or “body map”— with the use of images and anatomical models to gain access to and refine one’s own internal representation, or “body map,” by self-observation and self-inquiry. Licensed Body Mapping Educators, musicians that have been licensed by the Association for Body Mapping Educators, are qualified to teach the six-hour course called “What Every Musician Needs to Know about the Body.” A directory lists qualified teachers by instrument and region. I myself am a Licensed Body Mapping Educator.

The Feldenkrais Method

Many musicians have found relief for their movement limitations through the use of the Feldenkrais Method. The Method offers movement exercises that help to ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination The Feldenkrais Guild of North America offers access to teachers of the Method.

The Bulletproof Musician

Dr. Noa Kageyama, a former violinist, was trained as a performance psychologist and teaches at the Juilliard School, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the New World Symphony. Through the Bulletproof Musician website, his online courses have helped thousands of musicians manage performance anxiety and the destructive negative self-talk that damages performances. 

Dr. Don Greene

Dr. Don Greene began his career as a sports psychologist, working with Olympic and professional athletes. He subsequently began working with musicians and has taught at The Juilliard School, The Colburn School, and the New World Symphony. He has many former students who perform in major symphony orchestras. His resources can be found at his website, Winning on Stage.