Functional Fitness for Musicians, Part 2: Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back
The Violin Geek Podcast - A podcast by Laurel Thomsen - Mondays
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Note: this is a hands-on video episode. If your podcast app does not support video podcasts, while it may be possible to follow along with only the audio, please find the video here https://youtu.be/RWbF3jrwwdY In this supplemental video series of the Violin Geek Podcast, violinist/violist and educator Laurel Thomsen shares a variety of simple warmups, mobility exercises, and massage techniques to help musicians and non-musicians avoid tension related to playing or daily life habits, and possibly reduce or even overcome pain when it does set in. Certified as a massage therapist, yoga teacher, level 3 Acutonics practitioner, and a Clinical Hypnotherapist, and with experience working with a variety of additional mind-body healing modalities, including acupressure and Trigger Point Therapy, Foundation Training, the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais, Yoga Nidra and various meditation styles, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, EDGU, and Qi-Gong, Laurel's goal through this series is to distill some of the techniques she's found most valuable in helping herself, her private music students, and her clients. This video is not intended to diagnose or treat any health concern, but to simply offer ideas for self-care. Please consult your doctor about injuries or chronic pain, and before exploring any new exercise. And ALWAYS listen to your body and its needs. 0:51 Shoulder Rolls - Warmup 3:10 Trapezuis Release - Active Stretch and Trigger Point Massage 11:07 Head/Neck Plank - Cervical Spine Reset 15:06 Sternoceidomastoid Release - Trigger Point Massage 17:58 Upper Back/Shoulder Squeezes - Muscle Activation Exercise 21:00 Pinkie Knuckle Knocking - Acupressure Massage 22:47 Full Body Shaking - Warmup/Cooldown If your podcast feed does not support video podcasts, or if you'd like to bookmark this episode for future watching, it's also available here https://youtu.be/RWbF3jrwwdY Please consider sharing it with friends and family members who you think might benefit, and subscribing on YouTube to avoid missing the upcoming videos in the series. Listen to and download the complete version of Laurel's song "Asilomar" https://laurelthomsen.bandcamp.com/track/asilomar For more tips, inspiration, insight please check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog: Blog https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog/ To learn more about Laurel, ask a question or suggest a topic for her to cover, or to get in touch about private lessons (violin, viola, fiddle, cello) or help overcoming general or playing-related pain and tension, visit https://www.laurelthomsen.com For further resources and information about many of the practices and techniques mentioned, enjoy Laurel's post "Cross-training for Musicians" https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog/?id=cross-training-for-musicians --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support