“Our voice has body” is a coming together of music and yoga which has been developed through my own experiences, maximizing the potential of the art of singing mixing with the morphogenetic field and vocaliza
tion. Through this method I was able to integrate singing with yoga and, at the same time, with rhythm. Now my work has become a book, with practical exercises divided into 5 parts and 16 chapters where I present how to use physical poses and vocalizations to develop increased consciousness and balance when singing.
I want to start discussing the conscious self. In every physical action leading us to make music—whether singing, playing drums or any musical instrument—being aware of our posture, of every support of our body, will lead us to be in a state of harmony wi
thin ourselves, to be in a function I call unity.
One of Our Fundamental Traits As Human Beings Is Standing Upright
This is an act that is often carried out not in a conscious manner but rather in a transparent way. We are unaware of how it is that we walk or stand, and eventually we are afflicted by fatigue and tiredness. Mastering the art of standing correctly is essential. In doing this, one will also avert mental dullness. This is the reason why I emphasize the conscious self: because everything is linked.
If we consider the meaning of harmony—which is not only used in music – it makes us ponder about the balance of proportions between the different parts of a whole, the result of which will always portend beauty. In music, harmony is the discipline which studies the perception of sound in a vertical or simultaneous way, in the form of chords, and the way it relates to its surroundings. Regarding the physical body, there is no doubt that musical chords are comparable to a harmonious muscular posture. If we are conscious about how to move muscles, creating suppler and more relaxed movements, we will find that we are being causally harmonious. Bear in mind that each movement you make with your body—be it gentle or abrupt—will have an effect on your breathing and therefore, on your singing.
By standing correctly you will be able to flow, to sing without difficulty, and do so with ease. This is the concept from which I infer that the vocal cords are not by themselves the instrument through which we sing. Our whole body intervenes so that phonation (the production of vocal sound) occurs with fluency.
Here Begins the Task of Perception: Where the Body, Emotions and Thoughts Are One
First observe the support of the soles of your feet. They should be parallel to each other and spread hip-width apart. Now, start to feel the movement of the diaphragm. This is the muscle shaped like a parachute, which can be foun
d between the rib cage and the abdominal cavity. It’s important to note that the diaphragm is an organ which is directly connected to the mind and consciousness. When facing any emotional disturbance, it will be the first to manifest a reaction, because it is the main muscle involved in inhaling.
Learn to perceive your own breath. Be conscious of how you inhale the air which you will then use for singing. Once you have worked on your awareness of breath, you will then add the singing.
Vocalize By Glissando, First Descending and Then Ascending, the Following Exercise:
Focus your awareness on the way weight is distributed between your big toe, your pinky toe, and the inner and outer heels of each foot. Extend the toes from their base to the tip, pressing the heels down on the floor as well as the toes. Notice the position of the tailbone or base of the spine. It should be directed towards the floor. The top of the head or crown should face the sky. The idea in this initial pose is to create space between the vertebrae, along this vertical axis.
The space created is also beneficial for the spinal cord, through which our nervous system connects with the brain. Another purpose of this pose is to expand the thoracic cavity along the horizontal axis located in the chest region, in order to breathe more easily.
Move the sternum bone (which is the central bone on the front of the rib cage, articulated with the ribs) upwards, opening the chest, to allow deeper breaths and begin to release the diaphragm.
Shoulders must be moved backwards, in an outward rotation, and the shoulder blades moved towards the chest.This posture will allow you to breathe in a conscious, fluent and relaxed way along both axes, vertical and horizontal.
Now perceive how air enters the lungs. Inhale feeling as though your feet were sinking into the ground. Exhale with the bodily sensation of being afloat. Mountain Pose, “the mother of standing poses in yoga”, teaches the art of standing correctly, perfectly balanced on both legs. It improves the overall alignment of the body.
