An accomplished violinist, Sarah Hadley Yakir has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Conservatory Orchestra, and Sound Symphony Orchestra. Outside of her music career, Sarah Hadley Yakir prevents violin-related injuries through activities such as yoga.
An Indian tradition dating back thousands of years, yoga has grown enormously in popularity in the West over the past few decades, especially as medical researchers have learned more about the practice’s health benefits.
In addition to providing general health benefits such as increased flexibility, cardiovascular health benefits, and weight management, yoga offers several benefits specific to musicians. One of these is correcting the structural imbalances caused by playing an instrument. Whether a violinist, percussionist, flutist, or guitarist, virtually every musician must hold his or her instrument in an unnatural pose for long periods of time while practicing and playing. Yoga helps the practitioner counteract the impact of doing so through poses that focus on balance, strength, and structural alignment.
Musicians can also realize several mental benefits from yoga. Studies have repeatedly shown that a committed yoga practice can improve concentration and focus, which can help the musician both in practice and performance. Additionally, musicians who struggle with anxiety or stage fright may find that yoga’s focus on the breath and mental calm can help with those conditions.
An Indian tradition dating back thousands of years, yoga has grown enormously in popularity in the West over the past few decades, especially as medical researchers have learned more about the practice’s health benefits.
In addition to providing general health benefits such as increased flexibility, cardiovascular health benefits, and weight management, yoga offers several benefits specific to musicians. One of these is correcting the structural imbalances caused by playing an instrument. Whether a violinist, percussionist, flutist, or guitarist, virtually every musician must hold his or her instrument in an unnatural pose for long periods of time while practicing and playing. Yoga helps the practitioner counteract the impact of doing so through poses that focus on balance, strength, and structural alignment.
Musicians can also realize several mental benefits from yoga. Studies have repeatedly shown that a committed yoga practice can improve concentration and focus, which can help the musician both in practice and performance. Additionally, musicians who struggle with anxiety or stage fright may find that yoga’s focus on the breath and mental calm can help with those conditions.
