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If you peek into one of Professor James听Brody鈥檚 classes, you鈥檇 likely observe students wandering around a mirrored room, lying flat on the floor in silence or performing tai chi-like movements.听
An onlooker may think they鈥檝e entered a holistic yoga retreat. But for student musicians at CU 麻豆官网, these exercises are an important听investment in their health, careers and journey to representing the听next generation of professionals in the field.听
As part of the College of Music's approach to developing multiskilled, multifacted听universal musicians, the听Musicians' Wellness Program (MWP)听provides students with a variety of strategies听and information to help them achieve peak performance, prevent injury and cultivate robust mental health throughout their careers鈥nd overall听lives.听
鈥淲e strive to build a strong physical and mental health foundation for our students so they can excel in their professional careers and pass that knowledge on to future generations,鈥� said Brody, who founded the MWP in 2003 and continues to serve as the program鈥檚 director.听
According to estimates, 鈥嬧�嬏齢ave experienced stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their music creation, and as many as听听suffer from playing-related pain or injuries due to improper form or posture due to misuse or overuse.听
To curb those trends, the MWP offers free mental health services tailored to the needs of music students alongside optional courses that teach somatic practices to prevent injuries and optimize capability.
鈥淲e want students, especially those going into music education fields, to take this information, deliver it to their younger students and change the culture of the industry,鈥� said Brody.听鈥淚t's critically important that sound somatic information be provided to young musicians at the outset of their experience.鈥�
Brody's core approach is in the realm of physical health, where he teaches his students the听鈥攁n alternative therapy commonly used among performing artists and athletes听that aims to prevent injury by focusing on mind-body awareness.听
Students learn by observing and adjusting their posture in the mirror, engaging in听听and performing various exercises to enhance coordination and maximize potential, including some simplified tai chi movements.听
鈥淭he [Alexander] Technique are effective tools that students can immediately employ on their journey to musical mastery,鈥� said Brody. 鈥淲hen combined with a strong mental health support system, it can provide students with the tools they need to succeed in the field of their choice鈥攚hether it's music education, performance or even outside of the industry.鈥�
