Date of Award
Spring 5-18-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Mindfulness Studies
First Advisor
Melissa Jean
Second Advisor
Nancy Waring
Abstract
This paper is a presentation of my creative thesis for the pursuit of my Mindfulness Studies master’s degree from Lesley University. To enhance focus, boost compassion, and support optimal performance states, this work focuses on the potential benefits of teaching concentration, relaxation, and compassion meditations--and other mindfulness techniques--to professional adult musicians who often suffer from stress, performance anxiety, and self-criticism. Included in this thesis is a literature review on that topic, an explanation of gaps noted in this field of research, a discussion explaining the rationale for how the literature review has informed the creation of an eight-week mindfulness course for professional adult musicians, concluding thoughts, and a list of works cited.
The findings of the literature review suggest that mindfulness practices could be valuable for enhancing optimal performance states in professional adult musicians by reducing stress and self-criticism, and enhancing concentration, relaxation, and self-compassion. Therefore, it is concluded that this topic should be studied further; the creation of the Student’s Manual and Teacher’s Guide for a Mindfulness for Optimal Performance for Musicians course nudges this finding towards a deliverable program.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Carlson, Larissa H., "Mindfulness for Optimal Performance for Musicians" (2019). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 19.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/19
