"Sniff and Toss" is the short way to get into great posture, once you've gotten used to the idea of counterbalancing. I'm writing a post about it because I do it all the time now with my students, and now I do it with new students because it's easy to do, to say, and to remember.
Procedure:
- Big sniff through your nose, sending it all into that point in your chest where you would wear a gold medal. Your chest will inflate. Your shoulders will stay loose and relaxed and down where they were.
- Huff out through your mouth as you swing your arms toward the ground. Your elbows are heavy and swing toward the floor. Your elbows stay close to your body. Let your hands (and violin) swing up using the momentum. You will feel your shoulder blades tilt down in back. Leave them down there so that your arms are suspended in front of you using the muscles in your back.
- When you tossed, the violin probably came flying at your head and you turned it around quickly and parked it on your shelf. If not, I hope you are OK and not hurt...
- Let your head drop into the chinrest.
- Check in with your loose knees.