Stance is very important as far as tension is concerned. One must find as relaxed a position as possible in order to be able to play always relaxed. Remember that there is no instrument in music that can be played with stiff wrists, so why do so many flute players do just that?

Stand comfortably without the flute and well balanced on both legs - as relaxed as if you were going for a morning's walk. Take the flute in your right hand and lay it on your left shoulder (this helps you to not stoop towards your shoulder). Your left arm is down by your side. Look a little over the left shoulder and bring the flute up to the mouth with the right hand only. Then hang the left arm and hand off the flute in a totally relaxed way.

The right hand will be at right angles to the flute, with fingers slightly bent and the thumb under the F key (thumb and first finger being a "scissors"). Avoid bending to the left or right, as this will cause nasty injuries!

Bring the left hand thumb under the flute enough to be able to play the thumb B and Bb with the thumb knuckle. This will help keep that area relaxed. The fingers should now fall naturally into their correct positions.

Now bring the right arm up a little and forward. At the same time turn the head towards the left (remember that the head will "float" without stress). Keep coming across until you begin to feel that you are pulling the right shoulder, and then back off slightly. (This position will vary according to a person's length and size of body.) Now swivel to the right (not moving the legs!) and in a totally relaxed manner, rock your hips until you slow down and are completely relaxed and still. This should give you a relaxed position in which to play.

As far as choreography, be careful! Don't overdo it and, above all, if you use movement while you are playing, it must be appropriate to the music that you are playing. Really this means a little movement in lyrical passages. But keep still (and relaxed) in fast articulated or very soft passages. You need maximum concentration and relaxation in order to control everything that you need to, and too much movement will just make it so much more difficult.