5.13 Engaging students with a fun whole-body exercise

This video documents a shift from verbal instruction to kinaesthetic learning to increase proprioceptive awareness. After observing a student struggling with posture—specifically slouching and limited lower-body engagement—the instructor moves away from the piano to lead a whole-body “pulse” exercise. While the instructor plays a rhythmic piece, the student engages their torso and extremities to internalise the beat. This illustrates the dynamic, reciprocal interplay between student performance and the adaptive teaching strategies observed throughout the longitudinal intervention.This intervention transforms a dry technical correction into a dynamic interaction, gradually improving the student’s physical alignment and internal sense of rhythm through active listening and movement. The exercise proves effective within the sessions, enabling the student to experience proper alignment and bodily engagement in a playful, non-judgmental way.This video forms part of a broader research project investigating the development of coordinated movement in piano performance, with applications in piano pedagogy, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.