Intro to Singing Therapy
Singing Therapy is a wonderful place to express the joy of being you. Through the power of music and the voice, singing engages the mind, body, and soul, enhancing brain function and emotional expression. By connecting with your authentic self and practicing controlled breathwork, singing fosters relaxation, emotional healing, and personal empowerment, creating a true experience of freedom and wellness.
The Brain
Singing activates multiple areas of the brain like language, memory, motor control, and emotional processing. This stimulates neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself and form new connections. Music helps preserve memories throughout our lives, acting as a spark that ignites nostalgia, creativity, and emotional complexity.
Singing also triggers the release of endorphins, the brain's natural mood enhancers, which reduce stress and promote feelings of happiness.
Energy
Singing activates the throat chakra (Vishuddha), which is linked to communication, authenticity, and self-expression. By using the voice to express emotions, singing creates a safe outlet for pent-up feelings. This fosters a deeper connection to one’s authentic self, allowing for clearer and more confident self-expression.
Through singing, people can overcome inhibitions and access a more authentic version of themselves. It is a form of self-healing, transforming fear and uncertainty into clarity and self-assurance. Singing enables individuals to reconnect with their inner truth and articulate themselves, allowing for emotional liberation and empowerment.
Relaxation
Singing involves deep, controlled breathing, which helps relax muscles throughout the body. These control techniques regulate the autonomic nervous system which reduces the production of cortisol and brings the body back to rest and digest.
Singing also generates resonating vibrations in the body, especially in the chest and abdomen, essentially turning the body into a natural singing bowl. This connects with the psychoacoustic therapy or physical sensations produced by sound. Just like a singing bowl, singing can reduce depression and enhance spiritual well-being.
Identity
When we stop singing, it can signal a deeper disconnection from our true selves, often brought on by life's pressures. Singing serves as a vital form of self-expression and a means of reconnecting with our inner truth. A lack of singing may reflect a loss of this vital connection to the heart.
The act of singing helps individuals reconnect with their authentic selves and express emotions through their voice. It provides a means to articulate what words alone may not convey, offering an emotional release and restoring a sense of vitality and self-expression, even during challenging times.
Baby Steps
Some warm-up exercises can start at home like belly breathing, guided meditations, and humming. Humming is a great way to gently connect with your voice without pressure. It activates your inner singing bowl, helping to improve breath control and duration. Saying positive statements like "I am open to my voice" can remove the pressure of perfection and enhance self-empowerment.
Practice
Learning to sing can be intimidating, it’s common for beginners to encounter shaky notes, but these imperfections are part of the learning process. Over time, the voice becomes more flexible and controlled, allowing for smoother singing. Singing Therapy isn’t just about achieving technical skills but about discovering and nurturing one’s unique vocal expression and emotional release.
Stretch
Before singing, it is essential to stretch and warm up the body. Stretching helps release physical tension, allowing the voice to resonate freely with warmth and clarity. The voice is deeply connected to the whole body, and releasing physical tension creates a better environment for vocal resonance.
Breathwork
Through deep inhalation and controlled exhalation, singing helps release physical and emotional tension, offering a sense of relaxation. As the breath flows out, it relieves mental strain, which promotes the feeling of being more present and grounded.
Music World
The process of discovering new music and experimenting with our voice can be liberating. As we explore different musical landscapes, we unlock new layers of self-expression, and singing becomes a cathartic experience for expressive emotional release and feeling empowered with our true voice.
I found a video from a singing teacher, outlining what to expect for a private practice. At the start of your singing journey, even if it’s the worst, document it anyway. You will hear, see, and feel improvement.
2013 Burbank, CA / photoshoot with my singer roommate, Eva
2018 Seattle, WA / Singing Bassa nova with my Uncle Leo (standup bass)
Snippets from my textbook:
Sing! : text & songs for voice class
December 8th, 2024
