Functional Fitness for Musicians, Part 1: Arms and Hands

The Violin Geek Podcast

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/YSXoh_Fn09E

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 Arm Drops - Warmup

3:20 Arm Circles - Warmup

7:57 Nerve Flossing - Stretch

11:59 Wrist Stretches - Range of Motion Exercise

16:20 Wrist Knocking - Acupressure

19:02 Wrist Circles - Range of Motion Exercise

21:08 Trigger Point Therapy - Massage

27:30 Wrist Shaking - Warmup/Cooldown

28:55 Effleurage - Light Lymphatic Massage

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/YSXoh_Fn09E 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

Link to the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook mentioned https://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1572243759

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

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