Injury/soreness recovering, what should I play?

[suitsuki]

Little background first - I started playing piano last year. Ever since the first months something hurt. Sometimes it was an elbow, sometimes a wrist, or my neck, shoulders, half of my hand, forearm muscles.. anything. It slowly got worse since I thought it was normal and didn't do anything at first, and to put it simple, I ended up with a minor RSI which *apparently* has healed. I took a break from lessons in february, but I want to start again.

I read a lot online about technique and proper arm use, and I bought "What every pianist needs to know about the body".

So now I know my biggest problem is tension. And a general meaningless soreness in my back and arms, probably due to the fact that I'm lazy and I haven't exercised much in the past.. 6 years (and it may be related to my depression. and to me spending too much time in front of a computer. and not having known a single thing about ergonomics for years. ). I signed up a pilates course which is slowly helping but I'm thinking about going back to swimming or getting some massages.. I don't know yet..

I'm still recovering and I'm trying to understand why I have little energy, sore muscles and get tired easily, but I want to play something so I have to choose pieces carefully. And this is where I need help

My rsi started being a bother with the first movement of Mozart's k545. I wasn't ready for it, and even if mentally I learned it my hands/arms don't follow my brain. I lose control especially on scale-like passages. I tense too much x_x

However, the second movement is just.. perfect. It's relaxing, I learned it in a easy month, and even if I haven't really touched the piano for 2 months I managed to play it fully without problems this afternoon. I didn't tense a single muscle nor anything hurt - if felt like REAL piano playing. Playing that piece gives me 5 minutes of hope. Everything I read online about technique, body alignment, relaxing - I understand what it means when I play it!

So I want to play something else before starting lessons again. My teacher isn't really supportive, relaxing comes naturally to him, and I don't want to change teacher, so.. does anybody know some slow, nice piece that can help? I can reach an octave but I rather not stretch my hands too much..

Any other advice/experience/suggestion related to anything I wrote is definitely welcome.

(and english is not my first language so ignore grammar )

[go12_3]

suitsuki:
I do not know much about your age and background, however, your teacher should be the main person for you to ask about which pieces for you to learn and enjoy. Plus, if your teacher is not supportive, then why would you want to keep taking lessons from him?

There are several pieces that won't have to tense you up.  How about trying
Debussy's First Arabesque.  It is flowing and a nice piece to play.   Bach's prelude G  minor,  Chopin's Waltz in A minor Op post, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, the slow movement.   Hope these suggestions will help you pick a piece.  I have not experienced pain as I play piano because I relax and use the arm weight, in which allows my fingers to strike the keys more easy. 

Best wishes,

go12_3

[Petter]

Pilates has really helped me, if you can keep your back straight supported by the lowest abs you'll notice a large difference. Pilates takes some time to get the technique right, but it's worth it. At least it is for me.
 Stretching your upper chest muscles by standing in a doorway also helped me a great deal. If I experience pain in my back or shoulders it's usually helps to strech these muscles, as well as stretching the neck. If you can afford it, try to see a good naprapath and hopefully they'll be able to help you like mine helped me.