Het valt me op dat veel mensen moeite hebben om op een ontspannen manier adem te halen. De ademhaling is oppervlakkig en snel en zo haal je met zingen al snel het einde van de zin niet, zonder naar lucht te happen. Bij diepe ademhaling, heb je meer kracht en uithoudingsvermogen met zingen. Ontspanning zorgt ervoor dat je niet verkrampt, zo kun je vrij zingen met gemak.

Breathe better?

Want to learn how to breathe more effectively and relaxedly, and learn more about dosage and breath support? An online course on proper breathing for singing and speaking will be available soon.

Below are already three simple ways, with how-to videos, to help you relax your breathing.

Step 1: go outside!

Probeer elke dag naar buiten te gaan en maak ’s ochtends een wandeling voor je drukke dag begint, tussen de (zoom) meetings door of ’s avonds voor het slapen gaan. Ik houd van wandelingen in het bos of de velden, maar een park of gezellige straten zijn ook leuk. Laat je telefoon eens in je zak en neem de tijd om de omgeving in je op te nemen: kijk eens hoe het zonlicht de dauw op het gras laat schitteren, voel de wind door je haar, wat je ook maar opvalt is prima…adem langzaam en diep in en uit. Geniet van het buiten zijn!

Step 2: breathe out!

This exercise will help you to relax your breathing and help you learn to use the full capacity of your lungs. It works like this: Stand up straight, shoulders back and head straight, but do not hold your head up. Breathe normally and then breathe out until you feel your lungs are empty. Do this a few times to get used to it without getting stressed out. Breathe out and do not breathe in straight away but hold your breath before you breathe in for a few seconds. Now breathe in, your body will automatically do the work for you: no need to exaggerate by taking an extra deep breath. When you breathe in after holding your breath for a few seconds, focus on feeling how your belly rises and your rib cage expands. Feel the air fill your lungs completely!

Step 3: breathe low!

Many people, especially women, breathe quite superficially. We are told to hold in our tummies, as we do not want to look fat. This shallow breathing does not help us to relax, let alone sing well.

So let’s look at a way to lower your breathing: take slow and relaxed breaths. Lay your hand on your chest, aim your breathing in the direction of your hand. Move your hand slowly, step-by-step, downwards and each time you move your hand you continue to direct your breathing towards your hand. Move downwards until you have your hand on your lower belly and you feel your belly rise with your hand when you breathe in. Now continue to keep breathing low for a while. Mision accomplished!

Step 4: Yoga

A great way to use and practice relaxed breathing is yoga. I am far from a yoga expert, but have found that a low and relaxed breathing technique is being used a lot in yoga. So check out your local yoga studio or gym and try out some yoga lessons.

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