Alas, today is the last day of summer. Before I launch myself into the grind — readings, assignments, pressured practice, early waking, late retiring — I want to take a moment to reflect upon summer.

The summer of 2014 was a good one. I had the opportunity to intern with the Austin Chamber Music Center, take both Book 1 and Book 2 Suzuki training courses, I saw my uncle (who lives in Mississippi) not once but twice, and grew to enjoy cold kombucha and sun warmed-garden grown tomatoes. Perhaps one of the greatest triumphs of the summer was not mine, but a newly opened hot yoga studio in San Marcos.

In the first weeks of summer, I decided to take advantage of their incredible offer – 10 days of yoga for $20. The classes, lead by young, fit, knowledgable, and inspiring teachers, varied from 90 – 110 degrees and each offered a style unique to that of its teacher. My favorites were inevitably the hottest, sequenced Bikram Yoga 90 minute sessions because I left feeling equally exhausted and rejuvenated. Needless to say, I returned many times after my initial 10 day pass and had no qualms investing in a summer membership.

Each time I attended a class, another element of yoga startled me with its parallels to violin. It started with the necessity of breathing and attention to posture, then the idea of practice, and eventually correlated the yogi mindset to that of a musician. Once my mind was on track, it was difficult to find differences between the two undertakings. Below is a list of just a few similarities I stumbled upon while at work on my yoga mat or while my violin was tucked under my chin.

PRACTICE
THE BREATH + MOVEMENT
POSTURE
ISOLATION OF MUSCLES
REPETITION
ABILITY DEVELOPMENT
FOCUS
INDEPENDENT AND COLLECTIVE EFFORT
THE INSTRUCTOR
MUTUAL RESPECT
ART
FINISH FEELING GREAT