Yoga is widely recognised for its benefits in stress management, anxiety reduction, musculoskeletal health and overall cognitive and physical performance, making it a particularly useful tool in a musical context.
A preliminary study by Khalsa and Cope (2006) explored the effects of a yoga and meditation intervention on musicians participating in an intensive summer fellowship programme and found significant improvements in musculoskeletal condition, mood and flow experience, with a significant reduction in performance anxiety compared to the control group.
Further research by Butzer, Ahmed, and Khalsa (2016) found that yoga not only reduces confusion and performance anxiety but also enhances flow and mindful awareness, key psychological states for musicians.
In addition, during a summer course in 2024, where I attended both clarinet masterclasses and intensive yoga sessions led by expert yoga teachers Lars and Nick, I conducted a before and after survey to assess the impact of yoga on musicians. The results were overwhelmingly positive, supporting the idea that incorporating yoga-based exercises into a warm-up routine can improve physical awareness, relaxation and mental focus.
Many of the experts interviewed for this research have helped to shape this yoga-based warm-up. My aim is to make the exercises accessible to all musicians, recognising that yoga is often perceived as requiring advanced and difficult postures.
You will need a mat for these exercises, so you might prefer to try them at home first. However, a mat should be considered an essential "instrument" that musicians always have nearby.
Feel free to choose your own pace and number of repetitions. Remember to perform them on both sides. I suggest doing five breaths with each movement, repeating each one five times.
