The Conductor as Yogi: A Meditation for Singers

Ramona M. Wis

We are nearing the end of a year that will forever remain in our minds, our hearts, and our personal narratives.  A year that, when we look back, will be that slowly unfolding “moment” where we dug deep, fought a relentless pandemic, considered serious questions and made important decisions, found new skills and creative energies and insights, and sometimes, celebrated and danced when we saw goodness, large or small.

In the middle of it all, our choral community can continue to be a source of grounding–for our singers, and for us.

Today, I am sharing a meditation that I do with our choirs.  I usually lead this at the beginning of rehearsal to get us settled, focused, and ready for whatever we have planned, but you can also tailor it to be a shorter closing practice for the end of rehearsal.  This is a breath meditation with some attention to the muscles of the jaw and eyes, where we hold a lot of tension but rarely realize it.  In particular, taking time to relax the eyes during a screen-heavy day is most helpful.  And yes, I do this in our virtual rehearsals and it has been an important part of our time together this fall.

You may want to record this meditation for yourself so that you can experience it first and then you will be more comfortable guiding your singers.  This is not a rigid script; I change this every time, but it is a good starting point especially if you have not done this before with your choir.  Use a moderate pace and warm timbre; pause where indicated to give them enough time to tune inward.  Watch singers so you are aware of any adjustments you need to make in real time.  If someone is restless and opens their eyes, smile and nod at them to assure them they can just sit and breathe with eyes open until the meditation is done.  Let them be.  

When you are done, don’t shock the nervous system by rushing on to your agenda.  Smile, have them stand and find good singing posture and ease into your vocal warm-ups, starting with something of moderate tempo, range, and volume, and connect the awareness you just experienced in your mindfulness practice to what you create in your “singing practice.”  Gradually, you can build from there and singers will be ready for the challenges and the opportunities and the joys of the day.

The great gift of yoga is that it teaches us to draw inward so that, with time and practice, we can return to our outward lives with greater equanimity.  To be able to pause, breathe, notice, and let go. 

A Meditation for Singers

Come to the forward edge of your chair (or couch or bench) . . .  wherever you are.  Take a tall seat, allowing your sit bones to anchor you and help you feel grounded, while lifting up through the crown of your head to create lightness and freedom.  Let your feet rest on the floor, and your hands, rest gently on your thighs.

You can either close your eyes, if you are comfortable, or soften your gaze.  Keep your chin level to the floor, but allow your gaze to float downward.

Begin to settle in: to this space . . . this time . . . this body that houses your spirit.  Breathe.

(Pause for a few breaths)

Notice your breathing:  the pace, the quality.  The balance between your inhale and your exhale.

Without judging or fixing, or feeling that it needs to be “right” . . . just become aware of your breath, like an outside observer remarking,  “Isn’t that interesting?”  Then let it go.  

(Pause for a few breaths)

Continue to breathe naturally as you draw your attention to your chin and jaw.  Unclench your teeth and allow gravity to melt your facial muscles into release.

Relax the eyes.  Soften any holding here.  Let your eyes be heavy in their sockets and let your lids be light.

Smooth out the skin of your forehead between the eyebrows. 

Breathe and rest in this moment.  You are grounded and you are light.  You feel spacious and free.

(Pause for several breaths)

Begin to deepen your inhale and pause.  Lengthen your exhale and pause.  Then return to your normal breathing.

(Pause for a few breaths)

On your next inhale, gently flutter open your eyes.

~~~

Dr. Ramona Wis is the Mimi Rolland Endowed Professor in the Fine Arts, Professor of Music, and Director of Choral Activities at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois and the author of The Conductor as Leader:  Principles of Leadership Applied to Life on the Podium.  Dr. Wis is a 500-hour CYT (Certified Yoga Teacher) with training in yoga history, philosophy, meditation, energetics, pranayama (breath work), anatomy, Sanskrit, and the teaching, sequencing, and adaptations of asana (posture-based) practice. Reach her at:  

Check out these meditations on YouTube, designed for musicians and for students:

Intro to Meditation for Musicians  https://youtu.be/A2Il5R9TW7k

5 Senses Meditation for Musicians  https://youtu.be/v0cHm7WnLbo

A Meditation for Managing School Stress  https://youtu.be/TCY7m10sCF0