The true Importance of ‘Finding Space To Breathe’..

Breathing is real. We can literally do it anywhere, anyway and every minute of the day. Everyone breathes.

The art of Breathing is that it gives the body energy and releases toxins (Carbon Dioxide) and when you inhale gives you mother Oxygen the goddess of our life. The fabric of existence.

Now, we all know how to breath (or you wouldn’t be sat here reading this blog)! But the question we could ask ourselves is …Are we breathing enough?

There are many different ways and techniques to breathing. For example – Rib-stretch breathing, numbered breathing, Lions breath, Alternate nostril breathing, Buteyko breathing method and many more! Which over time I will blog deeper into.

‘Diaphragmatic breathing’ is used mostly for singers in respect of its technique and design inflow and outflow of air. The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. It is the pump, that fills your lungs with air, and creates pressure necessary for speaking and singing.

Thoughtful diaphragmatic breathing can help you use the diaphragm and other muscles correctly, especially when singing. And the trick is…. Breathe to expand — not to raise.

How to breathe from your Diaphragm- give it a try!

Relax your shoulders.
Put one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach.
Breathe in through your nose for about two/three seconds. You should experience the air moving through your nostrils into your abdomen, into your feet making your stomach expand.
*During this, make sure your stomach is moving outward while your chest remains relatively still.
Purse your lips (as if you’re about to sing through a straw), press gently on your stomach, and exhale slowly bringing the belly back to its natural state.

*TIP: I also recommend to my students to put one hand on their rib cage in a fisted position. This makes the student aware of the 360 motion of the body and breath. Experiencing the feeling of their cage expanding with the belly doing the same movement.

AND… It may take TIME to get good at this technique, so don’t be ‘mount doomed’ if you can’t get it straight away.

See it as a RITUAL and practice it. Being mindful of your breath whilst walking, dancing, doing yoga, meditating, smelling fresh flowers, cooking are great ways to reap the benefits it will give you!

Breathing properly empowers your voice and makes it stronger and fuller- easier to get around. There are also beautiful body and soul benefits of deep breathing 

Lowers stress and harmful effects of stress hormone cortisol in the body
Helps the body cope better with anxiety
Natural pain killer
Increases energy level
Improves blood flow + helps to lower your blood pressure
It improves your core muscle stability

If we can remind our mind and body to become more aware and balanced with our breath. We can consciously learn to breathe properly and naturally for singing.

Try it for yourself beautiful ones x