MEET GéNIA, COMPOSER, PIANIST & FOUNDER OF PIANO-YOGA
“The key is never to feel guilty for taking time for yourself, but to view it as ‘creative maintenance'”
We spoke to the wonderfully talented pianist, composer and founder of Piano-Yoga, GéNIA, who is based in London and travels the world performing and teaching her groundbreaking method of learning the Piano. GéNIA has a mindful approach to her life and work, and her compositions reflect her ability to view the world in an artistic and mindful manner. Read on to find out more about this virtuoso and hear some of her amazing tracks in the playlist below!
What do you love about your job?
I love my job because it allows me to bring something creatively new and different into society, especially as a composer and music educator.
How important are your hands for you, and why?
It’s very important for me to keep my hands in ‘tip top’ condition, as I use my hands non-stop for my profession, so it is imperative to provide them with the best of care. Also these days, with Instagram and Facebook, my hands are frequently getting filmed, often close-up. Of course, when I do my Piano-Yoga® work, I always demonstrate to my students and, taking into consideration that my hands work all the time, it’s essential that they look good, for both ethical and practical reasons.
What do you do to relax?
My job has always been not only demanding, but also quite versatile, as I often have to compose in the middle of a tour, or teach in the middle of composing. Yoga has become an integral part of my life, hence Piano-Yoga®, but I also follow the teaching of Thich Nath Hanh, a Zen Buddhist monk and author of the classic work ‘Miracle of Mindfulness’. I am also a big fan of Reflexology and regularly visit a gym. The key is never to feel guilty for taking time for yourself, but to view it as ‘creative maintenance’, especially during intense working days. I use a lot of holistic creams and treatments, and I absolutely love Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Aromatic Repair & Brighten Hand Cream, as it not only makes my hands feel soft and almost like new, but it also possesses therapeutic qualities which immediately relax me and take stress away. It’s always in my bag!