This pilot study sought to determine the effectiveness of a 9-week yoga program with respect to reducing music performance anxiety among undergraduate and graduate music conservatory students. The 17 subjects who completed the entire study demonstrated decreases in performance anxiety (especially associated with solo performance) and in trait anxiety. Follow up at 7-14 months indicated that the improvements experienced by the program completers were sustained. The positive feedback received from the participants about the program and its effects on general well-being and performance anxiety were encouraging to the authors.
Based on the findings of this pilot study, the authors recommend further research into the use of yoga to decrease performance anxiety among musicians. It is possible that yoga and other mind/body practices may be beneficial in reducing overall susceptibility to anxiety due to the reduction in trait anxiety seen in these participants. Perhaps the mindful meditation that is a part of yoga and other practices allows the participant to address non-performance related stressors that may exacerbate performance anxiety in musicians.
Stern JRS, Khalsa SS, and Hofmann SG. A yoga intervention for music performance anxiety in conservatory students. Med Probl Perform Art 2012;27(3):123-128.
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