Centering and Setting Intentions

Finding your center can mean a lot of different things. In addition to finding our center of gravity and aligning our bodies when we sing, it's also important that we take a few seconds before our practicing or performances to center our minds. There is so much going on in our heads every. single. day. It's okay if thoughts float across your brain that distract you from your singing. Just like learning to meditate, we need to learn to sing with intention and mindfulness. 

Centering is about more than standing up straight when you sing. Practicing with intension and mindfulness can help you achieve your goals sooner and hone in on specific skill sets that need attention. Our daily energy can be improved and balanced through how we use our bodies. Below I will list some strategies for finding mental clarity or the right energy for beginning your practice. You should feel alert, but not anxious when you start your vocal practice sessions. This will lend itself to building your confidence later on, when it's time for performing.

When you are preparing for your practice, set aside a special place and time for yourself several days each week. As you start writing in your singing observation journals, you may want to consider handwriting your notes and turning off all electronic devices, or setting them to Airplane Mode. Cutting off distractions like phone notifications and computer email dings can greatly improve your practice. Interruptions to your flow (extra: see Wiki article on Csikszentmihalyi's Flow Theory (Links to an external site.) are detrimental to your practice and your own sense of self-accomplishment. 

Even a short practice session of 15-20 minutes is better than nothing. Schedule your practice into your day and observe your voice, your feelings as you sing (maybe you want to observe both the physical and mental), and note any changes day to day with your voice. 

As you begin these centering exercises, think about your intention for your practice. What do you want to achieve today?

Please take note: If you are using breath practices and find yourself light-headed or dizzy, please return to breathing normally and sit down until you are back to normal. Discontinue that practice. If this happens frequently, seek the help of a medical professional. Some of these exercises can affect your pulse if done too vigorously. Those with hypertension or an irregular heartbeat should consult with a physician before beginning any kind of intensive physical work.

Finding Optimal Balance - Relaxation versus Tension

We need a certain amount of tension in our muscles to stand, sit, exhale with control, etc. As singers, we have to find a healthy balance between being a totally relaxed "wet noodle", and being a rock and holding too tightly.

• Begin by standing with both feet on the floor: Find about two-fists-width distance between your feet. This should establish an even placement of your feet directly below your hips.
• Balance evenly between your two feet: you should feel an ease throughout your body. Adjust your body so that you feel as little tension as possible. You may wish to try this with your eyes closed.
• With your eyes closed, do a mental scan of your body. Where do you feel tension? What feels great? Can you let that tension release?
• Tighten your jaw, clench your teeth, clench your fists: then release everything and stand beautiful and tall.

Breath Practices to Try to Regulate your Energy:

• In a quiet, comfortable position, seated tall or standing up, take 10 deep breaths. Try to slow your thoughts and body down as you exhale. Try making the exhales longer than the inhales.
• To slow your body down: Count as you breathe -- In for 4 counts, out for 4 counts. In for 4 counts, out for 6 counts. When you feel like you can breathe evenly, begin your vocal practice.
• To energize your body: Try a puppy pant breath, really stick your tongue out and be silly.
• Another energizer: Wake up your body through breath by exhaling forcefully through your nose, then allowing breath to naturally enter your body (this is sometimes called a "Fire Breath"). Only do this for 10-15 seconds at a time, or you could become light-headed.