Inspire: Breathing and Breath for Singing and the Voice
Module no. 7 - On Getting Stronger
Module no. 7 - On Getting Stronger (the breakdown)
How’s it going so far?
Does this feel easy for you? Hold up! There’s more. But also, might I encourage you to make sure you’re begin sensitive to the nuance of what we’re dealing with here? The specifics matter.
Does this feel difficult for you? That’s cool, too. I’ve worked with high level, professional singers who struggle immensely with their breath. That to say, it’s human and normal. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to keep going back to earlier concepts and ideas to really get a handle on what we’re doing here.
This takes time.
Small, incremental changes last.
But, if you’re ready to proceed, I’ve got some other useful tools for this whole coordinating your body, thing.
This is an add on to our posture finder:
Most people struggle to keep their chest up tall and ribs expanded while we sing. Not many other things in life ask you to hold this posture.
By placing your hands upon your rib cage, not protruding the chest forward and relaxing the neck and shoulders, you can hold this upright position while engaging exercises or singing songs. This posture is a great reminder and strength builder.
Also, you can try holding an object like a yoga block, book or even a shoe above your head as high as your can while you engage these exercises or just sing. This may feel quite simple at first, but will quickly prove tricky. This helps create strength and also draws your attention to the need of abdomen’s need to relax on the inhale and its natural contraction the exhale.
“Cactusing” or “field goal” is also useful in terms of building strength and find posture as you practice your breathing and singing. Particularly against the wall, place your arms up at 90 degrees can be helpful.
One of our goals here is the change the energetic center or the equilibrium of your body as your breath. Shifting your functional norm.
If I were too speak in general terms I could say that more efficient breathing feels lower in the body where less efficient breathing feels higher. The following are about connecting to that lower sensation.
The first option is to stand as you’re able and put a bend in your knees. Engaging the lower part of your body, while remaining flexible and free up top.
The second is to lean with your hands into a chair, dresser, sofa, chair or wall. Allow the wall to support you as you breath and sing. Notice how this redistributes your weight in the body and how that might effect your breathing.
Finally, my favorite…
Put your body on the floor. Lie down, flat back, with legs 90 degrees over a sofa or bench. You could also put legs up the wall. This is one of the most effective ways to redistribute the weight and get curious about where you’re gathering inappropriate tension and constriction when you’re standing.
These are all opportunities for curiosity and inquiry as you try to find a new way of being in the body as you breath.