Imagine this: you’re in a crucial boardroom meeting with a potential client.
You’re aiming for a demeanour of cool, collected, confident professionalism.
Everything seems to be going well until you start speaking, and the client asks you to speak up.
The more you try, the more you feel your throat tightening.
To add to the challenge, a mental commentary begins:
“Why is the room so hot?”
“Are my hands sweating?”
“Did I just say impull-ment instead of implement?”
“I can’t breathe.”
“Why is my voice shaking?”
Can you relate to this scenario?
In fact, this is a shared experience among many professionals, including both singers and speakers, as they practice the art of using their voices for impactful expression
The primary difference lies in the nature of how the voice is being used.
Using our voices effectively in various settings, from the arts to business to personal relationships, requires a skill that anyone who has a voice can learn.
Unfortunately, few of us have had the opportunity to learn this skill in a meaningful way.
The Underestimated Potential of Your Voice
The voice is not just a tool; it’s an extension of who we are, a powerful yet often undervalued instrument.
In school, we learn what words to use to present our ideas effectively.
However, we rarely learn how to say what it is we really want to communicate.
While there are studies illustrating the impact of vocal tone on conveying messages, our daily experiences can already confirm this truth.
Think about the last time someone said “sorry” to you, and the tone made it clear they didn’t mean it at all.
So, can we be in full control of our voices, or will our communication efforts forever depend on the unpredictable nature of our vocal condition?
Steps to Release Your Voice
The first step is recognising that if you have a voice, you already possess the ability to express yourself in powerfully creative and captivating ways.
If your voice falters or behaves in ways that are far from your intention, it’s likely because of what I call, Unhelpful Vocal Habits – subconscious vocal tendencies that get triggered especially during stressful or uncomfortable situations.
The good news is that these habits can be replaced with helpful ones through intentional practice, ideally with a coach who can design exercises tailored to your needs.
In a recent video, I addressed the issue of using the wrong muscles while singing, sharing a simple exercise to disengage muscles that may be hindering your voice.
Although the video targets singers, the principles apply to anyone aiming to use their voice more expressively.
When I work with students, I guide them through a structured system, beginning with what I call “release exercises” aimed at helping them break free from unhelpful habits hindering their vocal potential.
Why Start with Release Exercises?
If you’ve faced challenges like running out of air, projection issues, a faltering tone, or generally feeling vocally limited, addressing each of these “issues” directly might seem like the logical approach.
However, the order in which you address these challenges matters.
It doesn’t make sense, for example, to work on breathing exercises or projection exercises if you’re using the wrong muscles to begin with.
By starting with release exercises to disengage restricting muscles, you’re giving yourself a clean slate.
From there, you’ll be far better primed to start working on more complex voice developing exercises.
Embrace Playfulness
The process of vocal practicing does not have to be overly serious or look like “hard work”.
In fact, I encourage you to adopt a playful mindset.
The last thing you want to do is judge yourself too critically, get too self-conscious, or work yourself too hard that you start developing other habits that don’t serve you.
In the video I created, I demonstrated an exercise that involves imagining yourself as a child on a swing, exclaiming “wee” with joy.
This simple exercise helps your voice relax and release without strain, allowing you to get comfortable in those uncharted territories of your vocal instrument.
The Takeaways:
The voice is a powerful instrument of creative expression that is too often undervalued and underutilised.
To release its potential, take steps to learn how to use your voice with meaningful intention.
Find a great coach to work with or join a singing program to condition your voice, uncover your unhelpful habits and replace them with helpful ones by learning how to practice with intention.
With the right practice, you’ll discover a tool that’s always been with you, that only you have, and that will serve you for a lifetime.
Ready to get started?
If you want to work with me to develop a personalised coaching experience to release your voice and elevate your vocal presence and confidence, visit my website to explore the various ways we can work together: https://krystaldiaz.com/
