YOGA FOR MUSICIANS

YOGA FOR MUSICIANS is a trademark of John P. Giunta. © 1993, 2023 John P. Giunta.

All rights reserved.

My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us, the world is full of it and you simply take as much as you require.                                           –Sir Edward ElgarMost religions teach one what to do, but yoga teaches one how to be.  Meditation can give you that which nothing else can give you.  It introduces you to yourself.                                         –Swami Rama    

GENERAL SCOPE

A comprehensive program for individuals, ensembles, choral groups, orchestras and schools.  Using the time-tested principles of yoga and meditation, these materials offer techniques for

  • Breathing, poise and posture improvement
  • Performance anxiety management
  • Memory and concentration enhancement
  • Flexibility and strength development
  • Emotional balance
  • Meditation and visualization

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. John Giunta, is the creator and facilitator of the original “Yoga For Musicians” materials.  He is a published author in the fields of yoga and music, a veteran teacher and presenter, an ordained Interfaith Minister, and one of the Metropolitan Washington, DC area’s most versatile musicians, playing classical guitar, flutes and an assortment of other instruments.  John Giunta is a conservatory-trained musician and a teacher of Hatha yoga certified by the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.  He successfully overcame a near amputation of a finger with the help of yoga and meditation and returned to playing his beloved guitar to become the first guitarist to earn the Master of Arts degree at George Mason University.  He has been a meditator since 1974.  For more information, contact:

VIENNA WOODS STUDIOS

(703) 281-5498

email: jpgiunta1211@aol.com

Outline

Performance anxiety and stress management.

(Yama-Restraints, Niyama-Observances)  Resolve inner conflict.  Preparation for the next lesson, audition or performance starts immediately.  Good nutrition, regular sleep habits, exercise, meditation.  Visualize your next success with as much detail as possible. (Samadhi-Spiritual Absorption)  Keep a journal.  Make a list the night before for the next day.  Finish the day with gratitude.  Start the day with gratitude:  awaken slowly.  Nadi Shodanam. Out of bed. Bathroom routine (eliminate, scrape tongue, floss and brush teeth, Neti wash), glass of water with lemon juice.  Agnisara, Uddiyana Bandha.  Yoga postures, meditation.

Breath control, posture and stage poise improvement.

(Asana-Exercise, Pranayama-Vital Life Force)  Toning the muscles for strength and flexibility, management of the breath: smooth, long, deep. Practice holding your body in the positions opposite to your instrument’s playing position [Specific needs for the hands will be discussed here.] Practice Nadi Shodanam for calming, Bastrika for energizing, cleansing.

Concentration and memory improvement.

(Pratyahara-Sensory withdrawal, Dharana-Concentration, Dhyana-Contemplation)  Be completely in the moment, breathing for relaxation.  Inversion postures.  Memorize pieces starting with the Big Picture, then from the end back to the beginning.

Emotional centering, goal orientation and life review.  

See that all phases of life are stepping stones to the next level.  See that all of life is connected.  See the Big Picture, dwell on our successes.  Live with goals, but let’s lose our unreasonable expectations.  Use compassion.  Develop an ego that is just the right size.

Develop your individual program and stick with it!