You know how your body involuntarily turns away slightly and pulls your instrument to your chest in a split of a second when someone is reaching to touch it? And both of you will stand there embarrassed and you will mumble all those reasons trying to explain why you reacted that way?
Did you ever wonder why?
In my opinion, any musician’s brain is perceiving his/her instrument as a part of their body. And just like the brain pulls a hand away from a hot stove burner, it also pulls away the instrument from a potential injury.
Reflexes are usually fast and have a precise job, which is to move you or any part of you away from harm as fast and as effective as possible.
The reason why your brain does that is because you programed it to. You have seen and heard about so many accidents that were about to ruin priceless instruments. Add to this the emotional value of the instrument, your brain became conditioned and switches to a “protective mood” for this “helpless part of you”.
Dodging physical injuries will require the same skills. Collecting previous experiences of yourself and others (types of injuries and the reasons they occur), training your brain (intuition/gut) to recognize the potential harm (slight wrist pain, numbness in fingers or arms, back pain) and act upon it (food, supplements, rest, stretching, working out the weak muscles, yoga). And most importantly knowing the value of your body!!
Once you collect all the missing pieces, you will be connected with your body and mind who are programed to keep you healthy and away of physical injuries. Your brain will be sending you the right signals early enough and you will be able to react quickly and effectively before things get worse.
Always remember that a musician’s body gives value to the instrument he/she plays. Your body is worth pulling away from potential injuries at any price, because it is priceless.
Stay healthy and love yourself.