5 Reasons Why Yoga Is Good For Singing
Do you ever feel constriction in your voice? Do you suffer from tension? Do you sometimes feel that your face, neck, or shoulder muscles are tense and rigid? Perhaps other muscle groups in your body also feel tight and restrained? Did you know that yoga is good for singing? Did you know that it can help you get rid of all this tension and dramatically improve the way you sound?
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient form of exercise, which originated around 5,000 years ago in India. It focuses on strength, flexibility, and breathing to help you improve your physical and mental wellbeing. There are different styles of yoga. Some are more vigorous than others. So, before you start exploring yoga for singing and unroll your exercise matt, make sure to choose a style, which is appropriate for your fitness level.
How yoga can help you become a better singer
Deep, conscious breathing is a fundamental element of yoga practice and as a singer you are likely aware of the importance of proper breath control. So, when thinking about the benefits of yoga, the first thing that comes to mind is that yoga may help to improve your breath control for singing. However, this is not entirely true. Speech pathologist Joanna Cazden shares some important guidelines to keep in mind when it comes to yoga and singing, as published on SingerUniverse.com:
First, the singing breath does not use the balanced, equal-in-and-out rhythm common to most yoga teaching. Voice production requires a very swift inhalation followed by a long, slow exhalation. You do this automatically when you talk, but it takes practice to quickly inhale enough to sing and then exhale very gradually. Try occasional cycles of breathing in fast and out slow during your asanas, with a relaxed throat, to reinforce this asymmetrical rhythm.
Second, some yoga teachers train a particular sequence of inhalation, such as drawing air into the belly first, then the waist, then the upper chest. These techniques are not harmful, but when singing, you don’t have time to inhale in stages—the whole breath system must open simultaneously. Again, just being aware of the difference can help you switch gears from yoga practice to vocal rehearsal.
Third, the vocal cords are vulnerable to dryness and fatigue when vigorous forms of audible breathing, sometimes called ujaya, are focused in the throat. The louder the breath sounds and the longer such practice, the greater the risk of vocal cord irritation. If you do this type of pranayama, place the friction higher, near the soft palate, and allow at least half an hour of rest before vocalizing.