What is VOGA?
A VOice Lesson + A yoGA class = VOGA: A Yoga style designed to Strengthen Singing, Enhance performance and Expand Creativity
How is that possible?
Let me start by explaining that this concept came about when I was teaching a Yoga class and it struck me that the feedback I was giving to students in my yoga classes was extremely similar to the feedback that I was giving to students in my vocal/performance coaching sessions! And suddenly, I realized that there was an obvious relationship between the two and I saw a clear link to how Yoga concepts can help vocal technique.
Over the next few weeks, I look forward to sharing some of these tips with you. I feel that these concepts can really work to help people develop their potential as vocalists, performers and writers.
For example ......
ALIGNMENT
Proper alignment? Yikes, this can sometimes feel overwhelming....
Voice teachers talk about dropping the chin, lengthening the back of the neck, relaxing the jaw and lifting the chest. Very simply, from a Voice perspective this enables the air to flow freely, it also promotes relaxation of the muscles which results in a better tone, ease of singing, and enables projection. It can be a lot to think about, but it's important stuff.
So, let's take minute to look at with a different perspective.
In a yoga class we do discuss the same concepts of alignment! But, when you're sitting on a yoga mat, no one's listening & no one's really even looking - you are comfortably seated with your eyes closed. This can help to reduce the 'pressure' of having to do it 'Right.' There's no audience, there's no anxiety about an upcoming performance, studio session or awareness of pitch. Removing these other concerns enables you to just simply BE and to connect with what balanced alignment feels like in your body. This makes it much easier to bring that experience to your actual 'singing'
If we delve a little bit deeper....
Let's start by talking about lifting the chest. In Yoga when we talk about lifting the chest we can view it from the perspective of the Heart Chakra, which is located at the sternum. (See the **yoga fun fact** below if you aren't sure what a chakra is) When the chest is lifted we are open - we are in essence speaking from our heart and it is expression from this chakra that enables us to powerfully touch others. This is a magical tool to keep in mind for live performance!
Also, in singing we talk a lot about the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that lies underneath the rib cage.
This is the mid point between the navel chakra and the heart chakra. In yoga, we refer to the diaphragm as being like the surface of the earth and this is the place where we begin our journey to higher consciousness. Sounds like a great place for us to start as we use our voice to connect with our creativity and to maximize the potential of our singing voice.
Physically, the diaphragm helps to control the rate of the breath, inhale and exhale.
When the chest is collapsed we are locking the diaphragm which inhibits the flow of breath. Lifting the chest also helps us to expand the ribs, which are important in supporting the voice.
Also, proper breathing is both the foundation of good vocal technique and it helps to stimulate the energy of the heart chakra!
In Yoga (and in VOGA!) we focus a lot on connecting with the breath and bring awareness to coordinating our movements with the natural flow of our breath.
And lastly, when we straighten the back of the neck and slightly drop our chin, one of things this does is help to relax the Larynx. (aka adams apple) The Larynx is a piece of cartilage which houses our vocal chords. In yoga the larynx corresponds to our throat chakra. This is where we connect with the honest expression of our creativity through sound. When this is energetically weak, we have voice 'problems' Working with VOGA frees this area which helps us to open our creative expression. And from a singing perspective, relaxation here is essential to help us open the throat and release the tongue.
That is just a brief (very brief!) look at some of the concepts behind VOGA. It is a physical practice to help us to release & balance the alignment of the muscles that we use for singing. By learning these techniques we are freeing our singing voice which brings about an expanded range, richer tone, better vocal technique, AND tools for warming up / practicing.
This enables us to experience more comfort on stage/ in the studio which brings about a better performance!
Join Me at Kundalini Rising Yoga every Monday from 6:30 -8 pm for a Real VOGA class!
How is that possible?
Let me start by explaining that this concept came about when I was teaching a Yoga class and it struck me that the feedback I was giving to students in my yoga classes was extremely similar to the feedback that I was giving to students in my vocal/performance coaching sessions! And suddenly, I realized that there was an obvious relationship between the two and I saw a clear link to how Yoga concepts can help vocal technique.
Over the next few weeks, I look forward to sharing some of these tips with you. I feel that these concepts can really work to help people develop their potential as vocalists, performers and writers.
For example ......
ALIGNMENT
Proper alignment? Yikes, this can sometimes feel overwhelming....
Voice teachers talk about dropping the chin, lengthening the back of the neck, relaxing the jaw and lifting the chest. Very simply, from a Voice perspective this enables the air to flow freely, it also promotes relaxation of the muscles which results in a better tone, ease of singing, and enables projection. It can be a lot to think about, but it's important stuff.
So, let's take minute to look at with a different perspective.
In a yoga class we do discuss the same concepts of alignment! But, when you're sitting on a yoga mat, no one's listening & no one's really even looking - you are comfortably seated with your eyes closed. This can help to reduce the 'pressure' of having to do it 'Right.' There's no audience, there's no anxiety about an upcoming performance, studio session or awareness of pitch. Removing these other concerns enables you to just simply BE and to connect with what balanced alignment feels like in your body. This makes it much easier to bring that experience to your actual 'singing'
If we delve a little bit deeper....
Let's start by talking about lifting the chest. In Yoga when we talk about lifting the chest we can view it from the perspective of the Heart Chakra, which is located at the sternum. (See the **yoga fun fact** below if you aren't sure what a chakra is) When the chest is lifted we are open - we are in essence speaking from our heart and it is expression from this chakra that enables us to powerfully touch others. This is a magical tool to keep in mind for live performance!
Also, in singing we talk a lot about the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that lies underneath the rib cage.
This is the mid point between the navel chakra and the heart chakra. In yoga, we refer to the diaphragm as being like the surface of the earth and this is the place where we begin our journey to higher consciousness. Sounds like a great place for us to start as we use our voice to connect with our creativity and to maximize the potential of our singing voice.
Physically, the diaphragm helps to control the rate of the breath, inhale and exhale.
When the chest is collapsed we are locking the diaphragm which inhibits the flow of breath. Lifting the chest also helps us to expand the ribs, which are important in supporting the voice.
Also, proper breathing is both the foundation of good vocal technique and it helps to stimulate the energy of the heart chakra!
In Yoga (and in VOGA!) we focus a lot on connecting with the breath and bring awareness to coordinating our movements with the natural flow of our breath.
And lastly, when we straighten the back of the neck and slightly drop our chin, one of things this does is help to relax the Larynx. (aka adams apple) The Larynx is a piece of cartilage which houses our vocal chords. In yoga the larynx corresponds to our throat chakra. This is where we connect with the honest expression of our creativity through sound. When this is energetically weak, we have voice 'problems' Working with VOGA frees this area which helps us to open our creative expression. And from a singing perspective, relaxation here is essential to help us open the throat and release the tongue.
That is just a brief (very brief!) look at some of the concepts behind VOGA. It is a physical practice to help us to release & balance the alignment of the muscles that we use for singing. By learning these techniques we are freeing our singing voice which brings about an expanded range, richer tone, better vocal technique, AND tools for warming up / practicing.
This enables us to experience more comfort on stage/ in the studio which brings about a better performance!
Join Me at Kundalini Rising Yoga every Monday from 6:30 -8 pm for a Real VOGA class!
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