Correct Breathing for Speakers and Presenters Flashcards
What can happen from lack of proper use of the respiratory system while speaking?
The lack of proper use of the respiratory system, or the breathing muscles during speech can lead to voice loss, vocal fatigue, anxiety and nervousness when speaking.
How are we meant to use our breathing system?
The diaphragm contracts downward on the IN breath and the abdominal muscles (or stomach muscles) pulls inward on the OUT breath during speaking.
With respect to our speaking problems how much of the issue is mechanical vs. psychological?
25% Mechanical
75% Psychological
What are some things that can have a psychological impact on our speaking voice?
Family history, illness, allergies, culture, language, past traumas, psychological state, intelligence, emotional intelligence, diet, and lifestyle.
What is the primary function of breathing?
To sustain our life and give us energy and vitality.
How does the brain stem affect our breath?
The brain stem automatically makes you breathe a minimum of 7 to 15 times per minute during sleep and waking hours and is unconscious.
What is the secondary function of our breathing system?
The secondary function of our breathing system is to use the breath for singing or speaking.
Describe how our breathing system works while speaking.
During speaking, we draw air into the lungs, close the vocal folds over the top of the windpipe and then our breathing system compresses inside our lungs to pressurize the air cavity called the Thorax.
The air pressure in the lungs then reaches a certain point, and the breath begins flowing between your vocal folds, blowing them into an even mucosal wave which vibrates at hundreds of times per second!
These ripple-wave motions of the vocal folds create tiny chain- reaction movements in the air above your vocal folds, and the sound then travels through the air located in your throat and mouth area.
It finally radiates away from you as the sound is projected outside your mouth. (Your breathing muscles are attached to your skeletal frame, so if your body is out of alignment, tense or constricted in any way, your body cannot coordinate breathing to a skilled level. Proper alignment is important during all speaking and breath work. This is why practical breath training begins in a prone position on the floor, either on your back or on your tummy.)
How do you conduct floor and wall breathing exercises?
Place your hands around your lower two ribs on either side, you will feel them swing up and out to the sides of the body as these ribs are not attached to the spine but only to each other, which gives the lower ribs much more movement than the upper ribs.
To feel the full capacity of the floor and wall breathing, stand tall and keep your body erect and straight as you reach forward to place your hands on your front kneecaps.
In this bent over position, take some deep breaths in and then exhale fully. You will your whole midsection expand with the incoming breath and the abdominals contracting inwards again on the OUT breath.
What is the accent method/paleo breathing?
The practice of making certain sounds with airflow to increase breath management, flow, and even vibration of the vocal folds.
These breathing exercises that help build healthy, strong breathing and speaking habits, and I have had enormous success with my clients using these exercises.
What is an example of a non-vocalized sound?
The “S” sound.
What is an example of a vocalized sound?
The “Z” sound
What happens when we make vocalized sounds?
The vocal folds have been blown into a ripple-wave causing movement and sound at the voice box, the sound waves are then felt in the soft tissues of the mouth, head and neck area, where we FEEL the vibration of our vocal sound.
What causes the voice to not have the impact we want?
When there is too much tension in the tummy area the student starts to chest breath instead and holds too many tension patterns in the upper chest.
How often should you practice breath work?
Min: daily/20 minutes
