The importance of breath support for voice.
The human voice is powered by breath. Think of it like the gas you put in your car… without a full tank, the car will not go. Similarly if you attempt to speak without taking a breath first, you may feel as though you’re “running on empty”. Seriously, try it now - exhale all the way and then try to say "HEY" - you probably didn't get very far because your tank is empty!
The way we breathe also impacts the quality, endurance, and sensation of the voice. Breathing with excessive force (e.g., using extra muscles in your chest, neck and back) may create tension in the voice, causing it to sound strained, feel tight and lacking power.
What sounds like a simple process can be complicated by many factors, such as:
Posture
Anxiety
Breathing Pattern
Rate of speech
Coughing/Throat Clearing
Nasal Hygiene
Fitness Levels
Reflux
Hydration
If you've noticed that your voice sounds hoarse, quiet, strained, or just doesn't feel quite right talk to your Speech-Language Pathologist about how breathing may be impacting your symptoms. At Beyond Speech Therapy we use the Bradcliff Breathing Method to address breath support for speech.
To learn more, please contact: info@beyondspeechservices.com
OR
Book a session with a Certified Bradcliff Breathing Method Practitioner here!
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