Earth Posture

Breathing and stretching exercises for healthy practice and living
Compiled for Pianodao by ANDREW EALES


Earth Posture is a very simple Qigong stance which combines many of the most basic benefits of qigong practice, and offers a great entry point to qigong.

In this exercise you will focus on posture, alignment, balance, breathing, and release of tension. These are all crucially important for qigong practice, and of course for piano playing. 

Earth Posture also offers a fabulous way to quiet the mind prior to mediation, or as a meditation in itself.

Good posture (at least as assessed by external observation) seems elusive for many pianists. Qigong practice in general addresses posture through an internal awareness of alignment and balance.

At the same time, Earth Posture facilitates good circulation, thus promoting improved general health.

These benefits are, of course, not instantaneous. I would advise practising Earth Posture daily for a few weeks to experience the maximum benefit. Even many experienced Qigong and T’ai Chi practitioners return to Earth Posture as a prelude to their practice.

The full instructions are written below, but you may find it more helpful to use this recording:


Instructions

  • Stand with your feet hip width apart
  • Knees should be “soft” (slightly bent or unlocked)
  • Tilt your pelvis forward gently just enough to take the tension out of the lower back
  • Lift the rib cage and take a deep breath from the lower abdomen (“abdominal breathing”)
  • Circle the shoulders backwards a couple of times to release any tension
  • Tuck the chin in slightly to bring the head into alignment
  • Gently stretch the neck upwards
  • Allow your tongue to rest on the roof of your mouth behind the front teeth, as if you were about to make the sound “Ler“. This technique allows the energy to circulate through the two main energy channels of the body. The connection is called the “Magpie Bridge” and the energy circuit is called the “Microcosmic Orbit”, which balances the two main energy channels of the body.
  • Visualise a golden cord attached to the top of your head and it is gently stretching you upwards. Visualise your spine gently stretching upwards too, so that you are growing taller.
  • Visualise a tennis ball under each arm pit with the arms hanging relaxed by your side, giving you a more rounded feeling.
  • Relax your hands. Imagine a pencil between each finger separating them, with fingers pointing towards the ground.

Imagine roots extending from the soles of your feet, deep into the ground. Still the mind and focus on deep abdominal breathing; hold this stance for a few minutes.

I would like to thank my teacher Allan Howlings for sharing this exercise.


Qigong for Pianists

The Pianist’s Breathwork

Breathwork has made a significant difference to my quality of life, health and wellbeing, with a beneficial impact on my piano journey.

I hope that by trying the simple exercises in this post you will discover similar benefits and be encouraged to explore the practices further…

More Breathing at the Piano

In this article, I will build on the foundation of the exercises and ideas previously shared in the article Breathing at the Piano.

How to Warm your Hands

Here’s a short video in which I explain and show you how to warm your fingers using a simple, gentle qigong massage technique:

The Lunar Tao

For those interested in Daoism (Taoism) this book of daily essays and insights is the perfect choice …

Breathing at the Piano

Are you sure that you breathe when playing the piano? It might seem like an odd question – of course we continue to breathe while playing! But to what extent are we aware of our breath, and how it affects our technique, musicality and comfort at the piano?

Sit up and Shut down

Here is a simple qigong practice that provides an easy hack for diminishing the effects of anxiety in our lives. It can help before performing, taking an exam, or simply enable us get through the basics of daily life.

Opening the Chest

Opening the Chest is the second movement from the 18 Taiji Qigong Shibashi form, and extends the Open and Commence movement previously shared here.

Open and Commence

The Open and Commence movement from the 18 Taiji Qigong Shibashi provides a wonderful way to mindfully reconnect with the sensations in the wrist area, developing supple flexibility.

András Schiff & Natural Breathing

“For me, it is breathing that is vital. You must breathe naturally, like a singer. Pianists and string players often tend to forget the necessity of breathing and they can become very tense; then they get back pains and wrist pains and so on. Usually it can be sorted out through the breathing.”



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Published by

Andrew Eales

Andrew Eales is a widely respected piano educator, writer and composer based in Milton Keynes UK. His book HOW TO PRACTISE MUSIC is published by Hal Leonard.