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Before we start to warm the voice we must learn how to
correctly use the lungs and diaphragm. We can do this by very
simple and gentle breathing exercises.
Firstly, inhalation, air is taken in through the mouth or
the nose and down into the lungs. I should point out that
there are pros and cons to both techniques of inhalation.
Firstly, breathing in through the nose won’t dry the back of the
throat but the amount of air taken is less than through the
mouth. But as previously mentioned, breathing in through the
mouth does have a tendency to dry the throat and therefore does
not suit everyone.
The lungs then fill with air pushing the diaphragm (that’s the
dome shaped muscles underneath your lowest ribs) flat. The
muscles situated underneath the diaphragm then engage. Make sure
when breathing in that the stomach comes out and that the
shoulders stay relaxed and NOT raised. I often use a balloon as
an example of this technique. You blow air into the balloon, for
example the lungs, and the balloon inflates. Many people hold
the bottom of the balloon when pushing air into it, the hand is
working in the same way as the diaphragm, and it’s being pushed
down under the weight of the air pressure.
It is incorrect to believe that ‘breathing in’ means that the
stomach is pulled inwards towards the spine and that the
shoulders move up towards your ears!!! This is bad technique and
will lead to complications if not rectified.
When breathing out, exhalation, the process happens in the
reverse order. Air starts to leave the lungs and flow out
through the mouth and the diaphragm returns to its resting
position the ‘up turned pudding basin’. Make sure when breathing
out that the lungs and rib cage do not collapse completely.
Breathing exercises;
Number 1
-
Breathe in for 4 counts and exhale for 8
counts. Repeat.
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Breathe in for 4 counts and exhale for 12
counts. Repeat.
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Breathe in for 4 counts and exhale for 16
counts. Repeat.
-
Continue with an exhalation for 20 and 24
counts.
Number 2
-
Breathe in for 4 counts then hold for a
moment, then start a diaphragm bounce action, 8 times,
always inwards towards the spine. Make sure you hold the air
then exhale at end of exercise making sure not to collapse
the rib cage repeat exercise 4 times.
Number3
-
Take 4 breathes in to gradually fill the
lungs then Hiss the air out 8 times, making sure all
air is expelled. Repeat exercises 4 times.
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