Functional Fitness for Musicians, Part 3: Spine, Low Back, and Hips

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/YGOs71Lu6RM  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. 1:18 Knocking on the Door of Life - Qi Gong Warmup 3:24 Waving the Spine Side to Side - Qi Gong Warmup 5:44 The Fountain - Qi Gong Warmup 7:58 Spinal Cord Breathing - Qi Gong Warmup 9:00 Quadratus Lumborum Release - Trigger Point Massage 15:30 Glute/Hips Massage - Trigger Point & General Massage 20:09 The Founder - Yoga/Foundation Exercise  22:52 Good Mornings - Foundation Training 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/YGOs71Lu6RM  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