The singing journey in our body

The singing journey in our body is different from any other instrument. When we start singing, little do we know about the transformations that are about to happen!

How our body changes to adapt to singing

Before I get started explaining, allow me to stress once more that different people have different ideas of what singing “properly” means. For me, particularly, singing “properly” and the goal of singing training is to free up our voice and use it for true expression that really frees us up. 

The result of this kind of training is not only a gorgeous voice that is able to express your feelings and emotions, but also communication skills that improve your life in all aspects.

Of course, this type of focus in singing requires deep transformation and goes well beyond singing scales mindlessly and “reaching high notes”.

So if you are still with me, I will proceed to explain how the singing journey in our body looks like when you train as a singer at Auckland Singing School.

Identification of current posture and breathing habits

During the first stage of the singing journey in our body, almost all students come with the idea that learning to sing means trying to reach high notes from day one. 

But the thing is when we are just starting out, our instrument is not ready for that and if you go for it mindlessly you are going to hurt yourself and delay your training further.

So the first thing we do is to take a good look at our current instrument. Almost always you will find that the posture habits you have built over the years modify your breathing and create habits and patterns that affect your voice in one way or another.

In the sessions, you learn new possibilities of using your body to stand up and sing in a way that opens up your breathing and makes it possible for your voice to be released.

This process is different for every single person and it lasts a different length of time for each one. 

It depends on how much resistance you put into the process how quickly you see results. And there is no rush! Changing habits is no quick process.

Modifying existing habits to improve your singing 

It is well known nowadays that changing existing habits is hard work for the brain. And it is also a slow process. So the idea of getting quick “tips” to reach high notes does not really provide transformation in your instrument.

Creating new habits is required. This is where the regular practice is needed in order to develop your instrument and see real improvements.

Practice is that part of the training that most people avoid for one excuse or another, but the truth is that with no practice there is no real improvement.

Think about it! Your body is your instrument and you carry your instrument around all the time! If you don’t practice your body by default will go into its old habits.

But practice doesn’t mean that you will have to be in your room practicing scales for four hours a day. You can start very small. Even five minutes a day will be enough to get your brain started in the process of creating a new habit. Even if the new habit is just the habit of practicing!

So coming back to the main point… the singing journey in your body includes learning to use your brain to create new habits. Something that is useful not only for singing but also for any area of your life.

The body learns to relax and diminish anxiety

The breathing patterns we develop when learning to sing are breathing patterns that relax your body and your mind.

So in the process of learning to sing, you also develop the skill to purposely decrease your anxiety levels any time you need it.

Is that easy?

Well, not really. Remember that old habits die hard! If you are a person that often suffers from anxiety (mild or severe), your breathing patterns will make you take air in a rather shallow way.

If all of a sudden you tell your body to take a large amount of air using different muscles (e.g. if you are used to breathing in while lifting your shoulders up and suddenly you tell your body to breath while releasing your low back), the body will offer resistance. And it makes sense that it does since your brain is trying to protect you from danger (real or imaginary).

So don’t get frustrated if you don’t “get it” in the first few weeks. Start small and at your own pace. 

You will start being more grounded and your body awareness will increase

At Auckland Singing School there is a strong focus on developing body awareness – always starting from scratch and building up from there.

There are many reasons for this and the main one is that you really are your own instrument. Often we go through our lives without really feeling our bodies. Most people can’t even feel their breathing.

When you are training to sing, you develop your body awareness in many areas. You are more aware of the way you use your body to walk, stand, etc. You are more aware of the way you breathe and how that affects your body and your actions. 

You will develop mind-body connection

Breathing is one of the ways that the brain and body communicate. Through being aware of this you can learn to know your mind on a deeper level. Did you know that every breathing pattern is linked to a specific emotion? And that every specific emotion affects a different organ in your body? And that sometimes we get stuck into specific emotions and breathing patterns that make us stuck to the past?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to know all the specific theories behind those topics! But you will, little by little, observe how the mind influences your breath and your body. Also, you are going to see how by changing the way you breathe you can also modify your body and your mind. And of course, how by changing your body posture, you can change your mind and your breathing!

Seems like too much?

Don’t worry, this process happens naturally and at your own pace. It is very important in the singing learning process that it is done at a pace that the student feels comfortable. Rushing the process just leads to frustration and ironically, delaying the process.

If you are interested in learning to sing in a holistic and integral way, contact me to book your lessons at our contemporary singing school in Auckland. 

We have singing lessons and singing classes for adults in Auckland (North Shore area- Glenfield and Unsworth Heights). For online singing lessons, you can contact me through my website holisticvoiceacademy.com 

Singing lessons are also available for kids and teenagers in Auckland (North Shore area – Glenfield), under the Rockschool vocal syllabus – a fun contemporary singing program for all ages!