Like it or not, good posture is essential for a good voice... and so much more.
Good posture can dramatically improve your energy level and allow you to stay more active while limiting pain and alignment-related injuries. Even the famous diaphragm, so adored and named by singers (the "respiratory muscle") will be in an optimal position during breathing.
Proper head/neck alignment can also help prevent cervicogenic headaches.
Poor posture can make you feel more tired than usual, because your body has to work harder to keep you in the right position. This makes us expend more energy, leaving us fatigued. And fatigue affects voice quality, breath support, support and support, vocal tone, etc.
Poor posture can also hinder digestion and lead to conditions such as reflux and heartburn, as the organs in our abdomen are compressed by our "slumping". Poor posture habits can lead to numbness or tingling in the extremities, increased mental and physical stress, and lead to joint problems including arthritis. (Our bones and joints must be in good alignment so that our muscles are used correctly, to avoid excessive wear and tear on the joint surfaces.)
But what is the specific effect of posture on vocal production?
Via the body's functional chains, when the head is pushed forward, the muscles of the neck and throat tighten. The larynx is not free to move as it should, negatively affecting vocal function.
This can lead to neck pain, jaw problems, vocal tension, and increased vocal strain. Stiff neck muscles and a stiff temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are also closely related. If you don't think this position causes vocal tension, try singing or speaking with your head leaning forward, shoulders hunched and chest lowered.
According to a 2006 report from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the “slumped” posture produces worse lung capacity and expiratory flow of any postural position tested.
The good news?
These bad posture habits are fixable! We can all learn to improve our posture and alignment, and awareness is half the battle.
Contact a good Osteopath and/or a good Physiotherapist and you can make a change in your performance!
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts
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