"Set Yourself Up for Sucess" is the same as when I say "Shelf, Neck and Knees". It's how I get ready to play.

First, a note on tossing the violin up onto your shelf: Put your left thumb on the nose of the violin, and the rest of your left hand on the front of the violin. Get as much of the violin into your hand as you can. This position will make it easier to quickly toss the violin up, and will leave your hand in a good place once the violin is up.

1. Take an easy breath through your mouth, using it to "float" your chest. Kind of like in the Six Steps exercise, but just open your mouth and let the air rush in. This is the "float your shelf" step. You may breathe in and out, but leave your shelf right where it is.
2. Toss your violin up onto your shelf, but do not put your chin in the chinrest. This is the "float your violin on your shelf" step.
3. Now pretend that your head is floating 10 feet above you, like you are looking down on yourself playing the violin. This is the "float your head" step.
4. Keeping your floating shelf, let your chin settle into the chinrest.
5. Relax your mouth.
6. Relax your eyebrows.
7. Check that your knees are still soft.

Now that you have an air-filled shelf (you are breathing, right?), take a few moments to "settle in", so you feel like you and the violin are comfortably connected.