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| Hi. One of the things that I forgot to tell you when I was joining is that I'm in a theatre group. We've no show forthcoming-we just finished one- but I have a question. Do you have any yoga asanas that can lessen (although I don't want to get rid totally of them, because they ARE necessary!!) pre-show nerves? I would be grateful if any members of this forum would be able to answer the question, because I actually ENJOY a certain amount of nervousness, too much-especially on opening night- is dangerous! |
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| Savasana (corpse pose) comes to mind immediately to calm the nerves--possibly keep your eyes open to avoid getting TOO relaxed and losing the enthusiam entirely. If going into that asana is too deep, what works for me is Balasana (the child's pose)--feels good to me and is comportable with the face down keeping out distractions and letting me relax BUT, when coming out of it, I kinda think of is as uncoiling and ready to roll on smoothly rather than waking up from a savasana-induced too relaxed state...there's also the traditional shot of Jack Daniels that might do the trick.
ChristyG - 2004-04-28 9:24 AM
Hi. One of the things that I forgot to tell you when I was joining is that I'm in a theatre group. We've no show forthcoming-we just finished one- but I have a question. Do you have any yoga asanas that can lessen (although I don't want to get rid totally of them, because they ARE necessary!!) pre-show nerves? I would be grateful if any members of this forum would be able to answer the question, because I actually ENJOY a certain amount of nervousness, too much-especially on opening night- is dangerous! |
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| I can't see someone going into a show lying down. It's not gonna happen! 
I'd suggest exploring Pranayama. You probably already do breathing exercises. This would expand on what you already know, directing that nervous excitement into productive, refreshing energy. You can do Pranayama standing, or kneeling in Virasana. Sitting in Sukhasana might be too demanding given pre-show activity.
The absolute minimum Pranayama would be to simply count your breaths. Make them even, so In-2-3-4 pause-2-3-4 out-2-3-4 pause 2-3-4.
Regularity helps calm the nerves and this can be done absolutely anywhere! 
Neck stretches are also good, but not those evil type where people roll their head in circles. The neck is not a ball joint. The type taking the ear to the shoulder, then tipping your chin down towards your armpit and back and forth, kind of nodding left and right. Move very slowly in and out of this position.
Move your chin down towards your heart, then lift the crown of your head as far UP (not back) as you can, then lift your chin, keeping this extension. Stick your lower jaw out SO FAR that you feel the mucles in your neck stretch a bit. (Excellent for double chins.)
have fun.
Christine |
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yoga to do backstage?
