Want to improve your voice? Start with the body
When studying for my MA in Voice Studies we went into great depths to understand anatomy, posture and tension in relation to the voice. Did you know there are around 27 muscles in the larynx alone and millions of work days are lost due to back pain each year? The mind-body-voice connection is clear, when we go into panic response our muscles tighten, the breath becomes shallow and the voice diminishes in function. Ultimately - the chances of you sounding confident, clear and authoritative are slim if you are really tense and have a closed posture.
We were lucky enough to receive lessons in Alexander Technique when I was studying for my Masters which I think is a wonderful thing! One of the main principals from Alexander Technique is that the mind and body work together as one, constantly influencing one another. It establishes that our movements are all habits so we need to try to change our habits where possible;
“A habit is composed of a sequence of acts that follow upon some cue. It is a chain of neutral events, with response in all our tissues.” F.M Alexander, The definition of Habit.
The habitual way you hold your jaw, shoulders, back and knees can all change the way you sound. Excess stress and tension on muscles due to posture can have a big impact on the voice. We should all be trying to let the spine lengthen and creating width through the chest.
Image: MacDonald, Glynn, Complete Alexander Technique pg.13
Working from home has thrown us into even worse postural habits due to bad desk set ups but now is the time to look at how you sit and work to improve your communication skills.
Here are some postural habits to change so you can start to speak with impact and authority:
Try to do the above without tension!
Relax your jaw
Drop your shoulders, take them away from your ears
Keep your forearms level with the desk
Keep width across the chest
Keep length in your body
Stay open so that your ribs can expand and you can breathe deeply
If you are sat at your desk then try to balance your feet on the floor (with a block/folder/book if needed).
Try to raise up your computer or laptop to meet your eyeline.
This Charlie Brown sketch is quite poignant too.
You would be amazed at how you feel worse when your body is in a deflated, curled up position. It is harder to get the words out and get through a meeting.
If you can, try to inject a little energy when you speak and open the body up. You will genuinely feel better for it and come across to your audience as more confident, trustworthy and authoritative.
Our next online workshop is a learning lunch on the 26th of November on ‘How to Manage Online Meetings’. Book your slot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/126883896149
If you are interested in Alexander Technique lessons my teacher was Natacha at The Bloomsbury Alexander Centre.
If you are looking for a Physio to help with aches, pains or posture difficulties I highly recommend Emma Bradley at Physiotone