Can Breathing Really Help Reduce Anxiety? Or Is It Just a Cliché?
Oct 27, 2024
Discover how specific breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and why they are effective. A dive into research reveals the surprising benefits of breathing during high-pressure situations, like performances. Explore practical methods that can transform your daily stress management, and learn about the impact on experiences such as childbirth. Plus, gain insights on bridging the gap between practice and performance to enhance your joy and confidence in music.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Common "Just Breathe" Anecdote
The advice to "just breathe" is common but feels inadequate under real stage pressure.
Noah Kageyama shares his personal experience with breathing in childbirth classes and yoga to illustrate its ubiquity.
insights INSIGHT
Breathing Lowers Anxiety in Labor
Breathing techniques reduced anxiety and shortened labor duration in a study with 70 pregnant women.
Anxiety scores dropped and labor phases lasted less with breathing coaching compared to no coaching.
insights INSIGHT
Breathing Controls Brain Alertness
Some neurons monitor breathing to signal brain arousal and alertness.
Slow, deep breathing can actively induce calm, not just reflect it.
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Can the right sort of breathing really reduce anxiety? The short answer is yes - but why?
A 2017 study illustrates how breathing could help reduce stress/anxiety, another 2017 study explains why, and a 2023 study highlights an unusual breathing technique that's worth trying!
* * * Have you been feeling a little stuck or stagnant in the practice room? Or has performance anxiety and the gap between practice and performance been a nagging issue that hasn’t changed, no matter how well you've prepared for performances, auditions - and even lessons?
If you’ve been wanting to experience more joy in the practice room and play more like yourself on stage, but haven’t been quite sure how to make that happen, starting July 22, 2025, I’ll be teaching a live, online, accelerated 2-week class on the most essential mental skills and practice strategies that can make a difference in your practicing and performing.
We’ll meet twice a week via Zoom and work on a series of exercises and techniques in four essential skill areas (effective practice, managing anxiety, focus, and confidence), together as a group. And to make sure the concepts become consistent habits, I'll show you how to gently integrate these new skills into your (or your students’) daily practice through bite-sized practice challenges alongside a supportive group of practice buddies from around the world.
Over 2000 musicians, educators, and students and learners of all ages have participated in the course to date. You can find out what alumni are saying, and sign up to join Cohort 24 at:
The Bulletproof Musician