I have been taking yoga classes once a week for about 15 months now, and it has made a difference in my violin and viola playing. One of the things we work on every week in yoga is opening up the chest, partially by pulling the shoulders down and back. That opening helps to relax the instrument as well as bow holds, and that relaxation produces a better tone, not to mention taking away any pain and tiredness from playing for a long period of time.
Now, if I could only have my students attend yoga classes, too! I try to help them with relaxation, but it would be even better if they could practice the techniques outside of music class, too.
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