Did you know that learning how to sing properly doesn’t only lead to a better voice, but also to better health, simply due to breathing? A healthy breathing-technique is crucial if you want to sing, and it surely makes for a positive side-effect!
Remarkably, we were all born with the correct breathing technique from the start. If you have the chance, take a look at a sleeping baby. You will notice that its tummy is moving up and down in a very relaxed way.
Or try it out yourself! Tonight, when you’re lying in bed, place the palm of your hand on your stomach. The moment you breathe “in” - aim for the air to expand your stomach, so that your hand is moving up with it. If you are breathing correctly, you should find your hand being lifted-up when you are breathing in and dropping-down when you are exhaling.
While inhaling, simply allow for your lower-ribs and for your stomach to expand, thus taking in a deep breath. Now - when you go to exhale - pronounce a very sharp and long "s" sound, feeling the "s" against your tongue and letting the air escape in a relaxed manner.
This method of exhaling, called diaphragmatic- or abdominal breathing, is incredibly beneficial to your lung capacity. Slowing down your exiting breath can increase the absorption of oxygen in your body. This same effect occurs when you are singing as you are essentially manipulating the rate at which your exhale your breath.
Research has shown that singing along to your favourite tunes can help with breathlessness which can dramatically improve your quality of life. Furthermore, Britain’s top hospitals have now started to use singing lessons in order to treat patients suffering from lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema by coaching them in the use of the abdominal breathing-technique.
Finally, just remember:
- Consciously observe how your belly moves every time you in- and ex-hale
- When you breathe IN, your stomach should go out
- When you breathe OUT, your stomach should pull in
AM4U Singing Studio’s “The Benefits of Singing” is a collection of a total of articles which each outline a core reason for taking up singing as a hobby or musical activity. Click here to see all articles in this series.
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