Contemplative and Wellness Practices
Daily contemplative and wellness practices rooted in meditation, Taiji, Yoga, Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicines facilitated by serious practitioners of the fields are core of the daily curriculum that supports musicians' awareness, sensibility, and wellbeing. In addition, we offer a thoughtfully planned and prepared vegan diet, crafted by our holistic lifestyle counselor and chef, to better support both the environment and our wellbeing.
Taiji for Harmony and Balance
As musicians, it is not uncommon for us to feel physically and mentally challenged during practices and performances. Yet when executed with balance and clarity, we can be at ease in music playing. In the midst of movement and stillness, how can we find the center outwardly and inwardly? When we are centered, the relationship with others, take the example of a musical instrument, will become more friendly and mutually beneficial. Harmony is therefore naturally
manifested.
In this workshop, we will begin by practicing a set of preparatory exercises for the purpose of warming up, followed by the exploration of several formats of Taiji movements. You can have your instruments at hand, in case you want to see for yourself whether it is effective or not in dealing with practical issues.
The Taiji course will discover the wisdom of ancient Chinese martial arts and explore the depths of harmony and balance. This beginner-friendly course focuses on three main aspects: stretching, standing meditation (zhan zhuang), and a short form of the Taiji set.
Stretching - We will begin each session with gentle stretching exercises to increase flexibility, strengthen muscles, and prevent injury. These stretches will be tailored to complement Taiji movements and enhance overall body awareness.
Standing Meditation (zhan zhuang) - We will cultivate inner stillness, focus, and mental clarity through the practice of standing meditation. Students will learn to maintain proper posture, breath control, and body alignment to develop internal energy and improve overall health.
Short Form of Taiji Set - We will discover the beauty and grace of Taiji through a simplified version of the traditional Taiji set. Students will be guided step-by-step through each movement, with special emphasis on maintaining proper alignment, coordination, and flow. They will also learn the underlying principles that govern each movement and how they relate to the harmony and balance of Yin and Yang.
Guided and Silent Meditation
Music has the unique ability to help us express aspects of ourselves that words sometimes cannot. When we play an instrument or really tune into music, we can tap into a synergy that elevates our inner being and brings forth previously unseen parts of ourselves. This interconnection between listening and being listened to occurs when we truly integrate ourselves into the experience and learn to listen from the heart. By doing so, we take a step back and allow ourselves to be open to the music, learning to connect with it on a deeper level. In this way, music can become a tool for liberation, helping us to express ourselves in ways we never thought possible.
Daily meditation at the summer program, designed to support participants' music journey, will consist of two types of meditation: morning silent meditation and evening guided music meditation.
Personal Wellness Techniques
The series of workshop will lead participants through a combination of active isolated stretching, joint mobility exercises, self-massage techniques, myofascial release, and postural assessment. This course is designed to help attendees play their instruments at ease, relieve tension or discomfort resulted from practices or unhealthy body postures.
Active-isolated stretching is a form of stretching that involves holding a stretch for only a few seconds, then releasing it and repeating for several reps, increasing the range of motion each time. Joint mobility exercises are a type of stretching that focuses on increasing the mobility of the joints, which can help improve range of motion and overall function. Self-massage techniques are techniques used to relieve muscle soreness, achiness and increase blood flow, and improve range of motion. Myofascial release is a massage technique that focuses on treating the connective tissue surrounding your muscles (fascia) to alleviate pain and relieve tension, deep tissue release. Lastly, postural assessment is the practice of assessing one's posture to identify potential issues, poor alignment, and other issues that could cause discomfort or pain, thereby helping treat and correct imbalances.