“At its worst, injury can change the course of a musician’s life, having a dramatic emotional, financial and social impact. Awareness is about bringing together the wisdom of those who have suffered, expert knowledge from professionals and information from researchers to help people overcome problems and end the stigma of injury. The greatest time of healing for me has always been when I have felt part of a community of others who know my suffering, the knowledge of community bringing an end to the shame we feel. “

“Somehow, this society of instant gratification and self-expression has left Classical Music behind on an inaccessible desert island, with only a couple of hundred years’ worth of staple repertoire leftover for firewood.”

“I’m not seeking enlightenment, just a place of security, protection. It’s risky leaving behind everything you know are are used to and I find myself unable to stifle the sense of loss. Of people and places and good times. But I suppose with risk you allow yourself the opportunity to make new connections and new experiences, and it certainly doesn’t mean you lose the old ones. Not really.”

“The assumptions about this thing called yoga spread far and wide. Most commonly, they will sound something like this:

‘there is no point in doing it because I am not flexible enough’

‘it is far too slow and boring for me – why not work up a sweat in a quicker way?’

‘I will look ridiculous trying to do fancy poses like the ones in that magazine’”

“Making our play into our work is radical, but important if we are to find solace and enjoyment within our practice spaces.”

“Of course it is almost inevitable, and not inherently wrong, that creative people go through a level of structure, focus and comparison in order to improve and reach a high standard, but this structure has been abused. We are at a potentially dangerous place within our profession. By controlling the way that young people think about practice and technical ability, we are leading them to believe that disordered practice methods are entirely synonymous with being a worthy musician. “

“To be unprepared is to be alive. I can’t be ready for the future because the future is out of my control. I can decide to prepare in line with my physical and mental health, understanding that my love for the cello is a mutual affair. If I push myself too hard, the burn out forces me to stop. If I don’t push at all, I sense a longing and my life feels hollow in some way.”

“the ability to communicate a truthful and meaningful message to an audience through music simply cannot be found within a self-critical mindset which prioritises precision over contribution.”