Work with me
Most musicians I work with aren't struggling because they lack talent or discipline. They're struggling because no one ever taught them how to manage what happens inside: the racing thoughts before going on stage, the tension that creeps into the hands and shoulders, the inner critic that turns a practice session into an ordeal.
My work is about that inner dimension.
Using mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic (body-based) techniques, I help musicians build the kind of inner stability that lets them perform the way they actually play when no one is watching.
Is this for you?
You might be in the right place if:
You experience performance anxiety before, during, or after concerts
Your mind races and you can't stay present while playing
Physical tension is affecting your technique or enjoyment
You feel disconnected from the music, going through the motions
You know how to practice, but not how to take care of yourself as a musician
You want a real, personal practice, not generic advice from a book
Private Sessions:
Each session is built around you: your instrument, your challenges, your nervous system, we don't follow a script. We start with what's actually present for you and develop practical tools you can use immediately in your practice and on stage.
What we work on together
Breathwork to calm your nervous system quickly before performances
Body scanning and somatic grounding to locate and release physical tension
Focused awareness techniques to anchor your mind during playing
Reframing your relationship to mistakes, criticism, and high-stakes moments
Building a daily micro-practice that takes under ten minutes
Details block:
Format: Online via video call, 55 minutes
Language: English / Italian / Slovenian / Spanish
Investment: €55 per session
Availability: You can start any week


The Calm Musician — 6-Week Inner Journey
This is for musicians who want to go further.
Over six weeks, we build a complete inner practice together, one that addresses performance anxiety at its roots and creates lasting change in how you relate to your music, your instrument, and yourself. It's structured, deeply personal, and unlike anything you'll find in a generic wellness course.
What's included:
6 weekly one-on-one sessions (45–60 minutes each, online)
Daily guided meditations sent to you at the start of each week
Daily micro-practices tied to your schedule and instrument
Daily journaling and structured self-reflection exercises
Voice message or text support between sessions
Two bonus coaching sessions at no extra cost
How the six weeks unfold:
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Week 1 — Meditation & mindfulness.
We begin by building your foundation. You'll learn what meditation and mindfulness actually are, what they aren't, and why these practices are not separate from music but essential to it. Through guided meditation and body awareness exercises, you'll start to notice the quality of your attention, where your mind goes during practice, and how to return to the present moment without self-judgment.
You'll leave with a simple 5-minute daily practice you can start the very next morning.
Week 2 — Breathwork & journaling.
The breath is your fastest, most portable tool for calm, and most musicians have never been taught to use it consciously. This week you'll learn the science of how breathing directly regulates your nervous system, and you'll practise techniques including box breathing, the physiological sigh, and diaphragmatic breathing that you can use backstage, mid-practice, or anywhere anxiety appears.
We also introduce journaling as a tool for processing the mental noise that performance brings, with prompts specifically designed for musicians.
Week 3 — Mastering stress & performance anxiety.
Now that you understand your nervous system, we go directly into performance anxiety: what it is, why it happens, and how to work with it rather than fight it. You'll learn the RESET process: a five-step framework for moving from anxiety to grounded action. We'll look at the difference between what you can control and what you can't, and you'll come away with tools for interrupting the anxious spiral before it takes hold: in real time, before or during a performance.
Week 4 — Unlocking emotional & creative flow.
Technique is the vehicle. Emotion is the driver.
This week is about reconnecting with the expressive and creative side of your playing , the part that gets buried under perfectionism, comparison, and fear of judgment. We explore what blocks emotional access during performance, and how present-moment awareness opens it back up.
Through improvisation exercises and guided reflection, you'll practise playing with a specific feeling as your only intention, and discover what your music sounds like when you stop performing for approval.
Week 5 — Transforming physical tension.
Your body is your primary instrument. This week we turn attention to the physical patterns, in the hands, jaw, shoulders, and breath, that anxiety and years of habitual practice have built up.
You'll learn the 3-A Method (Awareness, Adjustment, Anchor) for noticing and releasing tension in real time, and practise a full guided body scan to reconnect with the physical sensations of playing.
Most musicians are trained to focus on sound, this week you learn to listen to the body producing it.
Week 6 — Sustaining your practice.
The final week is about making this last. We look at why new practices fade, and how to build ones that don't, using habit-stacking, simple daily rituals, and identity-based thinking. You'll design your own pre-practice, pre-performance, and post-performance rituals, and build a personal toolkit from everything covered in the six weeks.
We close with a reflection on how far you've come, and a clear plan for continuing on your own.
Details block:
Format: Online via video call
Duration: 6 weeks, one session per week
Language for video calls: English / Italian / Slovenian / Spanish
Language of the guided exercises: /English
Enrolment: you can join any time, no fixed cohort dates
Investment: €350
Not ready to commit to 6 weeks? Start with a single session.
Many people do and then continue!


Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience with meditation or mindfulness?
None at all. The majority of musicians I work with have never meditated before. Every technique is adapted to your experience level and learning style, we always start exactly where you are.
What instrument do you work with?
All instruments and all genres. While I'm a classical guitarist myself, the inner work we do together is not instrument-specific. I've worked with pianists, cellists, violinists, guitarists, and vocalists, at amateur level, conservatory level and beyond.
Are sessions online or in person?
All sessions are conducted online via video call, which means we can work together wherever you are in the world. If you're based in Maastricht, in the Netherlands, and would prefer to meet in person, feel free to ask.
How quickly will I notice a difference?
Most people can experience a genuine shift within the first two or three sessions, not because anything has been "fixed," but because they begin to understand what's actually happening inside them and gain real tools to work with it. The 6-week programme is designed for deeper, lasting change.
What if I have to miss a session?
Life happens. Give me at least 12 hours notice and we'll reschedule at no extra cost.
Is this the same as therapy?
No. This is coaching and mindfulness practice. I'm a certified meditation teacher and CranioSacral Therapist, not a psychologist or licensed therapist. If you're experiencing significant mental health challenges alongside performance anxiety, I'd always encourage you to also work with a licensed professional. The two approaches complement each other well.
Do you work with students?
Yes. I work with conservatory students and adult learners of all ages and levels, from beginners to working professionals.
Still don't know where to start?
That's completely fine!
Most people who reach out aren't sure what they need yet, they just know something needs to change.
Send me a message on WhatsApp and tell me a little about your situation. I'll reply personally and we can figure out together what makes sense for you.
Click here to message me on WhatsApp →
Prefer email? Write to thecenteredmusician@gmail.com
© Manuel Bon, 2024. All rights reserved.
+39 3201123742
thecenteredmusician@gmail.com
