Practising yoga and working as an orchestral conductor are not disciplines most people would put together. But conductor David Murphy is living proof of their compatibility, writes journalist Helen Adams.
Murphy begun his musical studies as a violinist at the age of eleven, determined to learn by his first encounter with live classical music. He was awarded a full scholarship to the renowned Purcell School and has since conducted on four continents.
Throughout the course of his working life Murphy has found the daily practise of yoga and meditation invaluable to his work as a conductor, especially as preparation for a performance and as a way of maintaining vibrant health.
Murphy’s musical inspiration came from world famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin committed himself to becoming a student of the great yoga teacher Iyengar in 1954, and remained so until his death in 1999. He realised the profound affect even casual practice had on his performances and determined to make it an integral part of his life.
Discovering yoga
Murphy took the decision to work with Menuhin, and in doing so realised just how essential yoga was to his own developing skills. He has now been practising yoga for over twenty-five years, drawing from the Sivananda and Iyengar styles, from which he has created his own routine.
Postures that give the shoulders, upper back and arms greater flexibility and help with overall abilities as a musician are a particular focus, and the daily programme includes asanas, pranayama, and meditation.
Murphy is acutely aware of how the benefits of yoga remain with him at all times, and how the practice is very useful as a way of warding off stress and tension, and of helping him reach his maximum potential.
Health, yoga and conducting
Correctly performed postures will also help prevent back problems and conditions such as RSI (repetitive strain injury) which can be the bane of any professional musician’s life.
Another common health problem for conductors is tension in the neck and shoulder area – often the root cause of headaches, and symptoms that can interfere with the free flowing movement needed to perform with ease.
Yoga helps maintain greater flexibility in muscles and joints – essential for playing well. Yet despite the many advantages, Murphy feels many in the musical field still do not realise the tremendous benefits that yoga has to offer.
He also finds pranayama excellent for developing the potential of the mind; helping to reduce blood pressure and anxiety. The mind responds instantly to the breath, which helps him maintain control and focus whilst carrying out the complex task of conducting an orchestra.
Eastern influences
Murphy’s practise of yoga has inspired a real interest in Indian music and a close collaboration with Indian musicians including the legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar and Wahajat Khan, an Indian classical composer. But it has also brought him closer to understanding Western classical composers such as Beethoven.
There is even a branch of yoga called Nada Yoga: the yoga of sound and music. Murphy is certain this field has much to teach the musicians of today, and he is studying to find out more.
So what’s Murphy’s favourite yoga posture? The headstand: great for supplying the brain with blood its benefits extend to the whole body. Although Murphy has yet to conduct an orchestra while he’s been upside down, his teacher Menuhin has been known to hold the baton between his toes, lasting a triumphant ten minutes in the posture.
It’s said that music’s highest aim is to reveal the essence of the universe it reflects. A major goal of yoga is union with the Source – and Murphy for one believes the two come together perfectly in yoga and conducting.
Helen Adams is a freelance writer and journalist, specialising in alternative health.
For more information about David Murphy see www.pjproductions.co.uk/davidmurphy/bio.htm
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