CRAFT Program: When Mindfulness Meets Music (or Sports and Arts) Education

When we watch a live performance, we are often in awe of the talent and dedication of student musicians. We can imagine the years of training and perseverance behind their flawless performances. However, what we may not fully realize is the challenges these students face daily in their pursuit of musical excellence.

Today's article, "The CRAFT Program: Mindfulness and Yoga for Enhancing the Well-Being and Academic Experience of Higher Education Student Musicians" (Bartos et al., 2024), takes us into the world of higher education music students and explores whether mindfulness can play a positive role in music education.

Challenges Faced by Higher Education Music Students

Student musicians in higher education undergo intense training and psychological pressure, which can significantly impact their mental and physical health, as well as academic performance. Some key challenges include:

1. Musculoskeletal Problems (PRMDs)

· Due to excessive practice, poor posture, lack of physical conditioning, and muscle fatigue, 48%–80% of music students experience musculoskeletal pain, a rate higher than in other academic disciplines.

2. Mental Health Issues

· 44% of students in music, arts, and design programs report mental health challenges.

3. Music Performance Anxiety (MPA)

· Up to 80% of professional and higher education student musicians experience performance anxiety, which is also correlated with PRMD occurrence.

4. Other Health Concerns

· Unhealthy lifestyle habits and high academic workload also contribute to reduced well-being.

What is the CRAFT Program?

The CRAFT Program (Consciousness, Relaxation, Attention, Fulfillment, and Transcendence) is an innovative educational approach designed to enhance self-actualization, well-being, and holistic health. It was first introduced in 2016/2017 at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Victoria Eugenia in Granada, Spain, as a 7-minute mindfulness practice. Over time, it became an integral part of the conservatory’s curriculum.

Four Pillars of the CRAFT Program

CRAFT integrates four core disciplines:

· Yoga ��‍♂️

· Mindfulness ��

· Positive Psychology ��

· Emotional Intelligence ❤️

It addresses multiple dimensions of well-being:✅ Physical✅ Psychological✅ Cognitive✅ Emotional✅ Spiritual

Though initially developed for Spanish higher education students in music, arts, sports, and languages, it is applicable across cultural and educational contexts.

Implementation of the CRAFT Program

The program was gradually integrated into the curriculum at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Granada through various phases:

· 2016/2017 → Introduced as a 7-minute mindfulness practice in English and Chamber Music courses.

· 2017/2018 → Developed into a CRAFT-based elective course on Mindfulness.

· 2018/2019 & Beyond → Expanded into two CRAFT-based elective courses:

o Mindfulness

o Emotional Intelligence

o �� Weekly 1-hour classes from October to May

o �� Taught by a certified yoga and mindfulness instructor

o Mindfulness Course → Focused on yoga and mindfulness practices

o Emotional Intelligence Course → Emphasized empathy, compassion, and positive psychology

Course Structure and Teaching Methods

· Theory + Interactive Practice → Encouraged students to apply concepts in real-world situations.

· Reflective Problem-Solving & Role-Playing → Helped students internalize and practice what they learned.

· Home Practice → Required at least 2 hours of weekly practice to reinforce learning.

· Adaptations for Inclusivity → Included alternative physical exercises for students with different physical conditions.

· Discussion-Based Learning → Topics were tailored to students' individual and collective needs.

Course Components: Mindfulness & Emotional Intelligence

Mindfulness Course ��‍

Included a variety of mindfulness and yoga practices:

✅ Mindfulness Meditation (Body Scan, Open-Monitoring, Focused Attention, Loving-Kindness Meditation)✅ Yoga Postures & Movements (Hatha Yoga) (For physical well-being, flexibility, strength, and balance)✅ Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) (To improve relaxation and focus)✅ Self-Reflection & Awareness Exercises (Developed by the program creator)

Emotional Intelligence Course 

A theoretical foundation and extension of mindfulness, covering:

✅ Goleman’s Five Components of Emotional Intelligence✅ Reflective Debates & Role-Playing → Applied to personal, academic, and professional contexts✅ Compassion & Empathy-Building Practices (Including Loving-Kindness Meditation)✅ Positive Psychology Integration (Optimism, Gratitude, Flow States)

Common Elements in Both Courses

Self-reflection activities → Encouraged self-awareness and understandingTheoretical discussions → Explored CRAFT principles and foundationsReal-life application → Guided students on how to use these techniques in academic, professional, and personal lifeDiversity & Inclusion → Adapted for individual and group needs

Research Findings: How CRAFT Benefits Student Musicians

The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate students’ experiences.

Survey (CES) Findings✅ High agreement with CRAFT benefits✅ Students rated the program as "Excellent" or "Good"✅ Qualitative responses confirmed benefits across well-being, education, and music performance

Key Benefits by CRAFT Elements

CRAFT Element	Benefit
Consciousness	Enhanced self-awareness (emotionally, mentally, and physically)
Regulation & Relaxation	Better stress & anxiety management, improved self-regulation
Attention	Stronger concentration & focus (for learning and performances)
Fulfillment	Greater happiness, positivity, and self-confidence
Transcendence	Increased resilience, open-mindedness, and creativity

Impact on Music Performance & Academic Life ��

✅ Students saw CRAFT as a practical tool for improving daily well-being and academic success.✅ Helped students enhance their academic performance.✅ Specific Benefits for Music Performance:

· Boosted self-confidence

· Reduced judgmental attitudes & performance anxiety (MPA)

· Improved focus & concentration

· Greater enjoyment of music practice & performances

· Enabled students to play more freely and accept mistakes

Students also believed CRAFT could be applied to other educational fields beyond music.

Final Thoughts: A Holistic Approach for Music Education

The positive impact of CRAFT aligns with research on yoga, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology.By integrating these disciplines, the program provides a multidimensional approach to student well-being.If you are a music, arts, or sports student, the CRAFT program could be an inspiring addition to your academic journey!

Future research can explore its effectiveness across different cultural and educational settings to support its broader adoption.