Each year during the cold and snowy winters of the Midwest U.S., I miss being active outdoors. The last couple of years, to scratch that itch, I’ve started getting into yoga.
I chose yoga because it has so many health benefits — both physically and mentally — some of which are particularly useful to musicians. I have already noticed a degree of improvement in mindfulness and bodily awareness — both crucial skills for any musician.
In this post, I’d like to share a bit about my explorations of yoga over the past couple of years and about a few resources that have helped me learn.
Photo: Me, inspired to invent a new yoga pose during a trip earlier this year to the Joshua Tree National Park in California.
Let’s start with the practical: How do I fit yoga into my routine?
I like doing yoga in the evening, as a way to wind down before going to bed. Sometimes, I’ll also do a few stretches in the morning or at various points in the day when I feel I need it.
I’ve been using a wonderful app that I highly recommend: Yoga Studio (currently $3.99, and worth every penny!).
The app contains quite a variety of workouts to choose from: beginner, intermediate, advanced; 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 60 minutes.
Continue reading “My Explorations of Yoga as a Pianist & Teacher”
