Inspire: Breathing and Breath for Singing and the Voice

Module no. 3 - Finding Your Breath

Module no. 3 - Finding Your Breath (the breakdown)

Why is a nasal inhalation better?

Many reasons!

It humidifies and warms the air.

It filters the air of toxins, bacteria etc.

It is associated with relaxation and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation, safe mode.)

It naturally lowers the larynx (your voice box) and the diaphragm.

An oral breath is cold and dry.

The air directly hits the vocal folds and can be jarring.

It is associated with fear, surprise, stress.

It is often results in a raising up of the larynx and a tightening of the chest and lower abdomen.

It is associated with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (fight, flight, freeze or fawn.)

Breathing through the nose when you sing is not always possible or necessary, but in exercises it is my hope that you develop the habit of almost always doing it. It creates better patterns in the body and helps you tap into safe, relaxed energy.

This is something you can practice even when you’re not singing… on a walk, in the car, at work, etc.

Breath in through the nose, chest tall, let the lower abdomen expand and briefly hold the breath at the top of the inhale. Feel the expansion and then exhale through the mouth. Don’t collapse, and let the lower abdomen naturally contract while you keep the chest tall.

Exercise no. 1 - Adding a “hiss” to your breath

  • Following the protocol above, “hiss” on the exhale and engage the resistance until you run out of air.

Warning: As you run out of air, your body will want to collapse… don’t let it! Stay upright. This will take some strength.

Exercise no. 1 cntd - Adding pressure

  • Follow the instructions of the previous exercise, but add pressure and volume. “Hiss” louder.

Where do you feel the pressure?

Likely in your abs, which is interesting.

Exercise no. 2. - Five hisses total, four short and one long

  • Breath in through the nose, chest tall, let the lower abdomen expand and briefly hold the breath at the top of the inhale. 

  • On the exhale make four short, intense hissing sounds and then one long hiss until you’ve run out of air.

  • Whatever you do, don’t let your chest collapse. Stay expanded.

  • Do this until your abs feel both awake and a bit fatigued.