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Aligned & Aware

May 14, 2019May 14, 2019 Sarah Whitten

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vocalyogi

Singers, have you ever dealt with tongue tension o

Singers, have you ever dealt with tongue tension or watched a singer and noticed their tongue is tense? Or you just hear the tongue tension in their sound?

Our tongue is at one end of the deep layer of the core. If it gets rigid while you are moving that's often a sign that you are working in an inefficient way - in other words, the tongue is trying to help because other muscles aren't doing their job.

The go-to that many people use to address tongue tension is massage. Massage isn't a bad thing, but it's not the ONLY thing and it's definitely not EVERYthing when it comes to tongue tension.

One part of our excess tensions are habit based, and habits can be undone with mindful awareness. But......

Tongue tension is often the result of an insufficiency somewhere in the torso -the space between the tops of the shoulders and the bottom of the pelvis.

Sometimes the tongue is mirroring tension, and sometimes it starts to brace because other muscles lower in the body aren't doing their job and it's trying to pick up the slack.

The fundamental place I've found that is beneficial to work is the deep layer of the core. When we get the deep core integrated well the tongue is freed up to be the amazing articulator it was born to be!

Sound intriguing? Join me on Zoom for this live workshop on February 3rd and get better acquainted with your core! Details for registration are in linktree in my bio. 7 day replay for all who register.

#singer #singersofinstagram #voiceteacher #voiceteachersofinstagram #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #voice #SLP #laryngologist #singersongwriter #operasinger #musicaltheater

I did something new today and took my first ever P

I did something new today and took my first ever Pilates reformer class!
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Holy cow am I glad for all the training and awareness I have around my deep core or I would have felt super lost, out of my element and probably way over done it!
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It was super fun to try something new!
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#vocalyogi #performer #singer #voiceteacher #momlife #movementforsingers

Singers! - Do you have any of these habits in your

Singers!
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Do you have any of these habits in your body?
1. Sucking your stomach in.
2. Thrust forward ribcage.
3. Belly breathing.
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If you do, there are things we can do to help your deep core function better so your voice is more easily and optimally produced!
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Join me for my upcoming workshop, The Importance of Core Training for Singers at Noon eastern on February 3rd. As always there’s a 7 day replay.
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Registration details are in the linktree in my bio!
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#singer #singersofinstagram #voiceteacher #voiceteachersofinstagram #voice #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #movementforsingers #operasinger #singersongwriter #musicaltheater

A lil Wednesday Wisdom to start your morning. - I

A lil Wednesday Wisdom to start your morning.
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I trust my body. It has nothing to prove.
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How many of us think that we want to trust our body, but we don’t, especially when it comes to performing?
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Often the messages and experiences of our lives have taken us out of our body, leaving us feeling distrustful.
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But, what are we waiting for? What does the body need to prove to us for us to trust it?
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It’s a shift in thinking, but your body has so much wisdom gained through your living.
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You can trust your body because it is yours and it gives you life every day.
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Movement can be a powerful way to re-open connection and communication with the body.
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#vocalyogi #voiceteachersofinstagram #voiceteacher #singer #singersofinstagram #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #voice

Singers, your core stability matters to your voice

Singers, your core stability matters to your voice!
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There are all kinds of ways of moving and I'm not going to demonize any of them because they all serve a purpose. However it is easy to confuse the ability to do something with whether or not it is furthering your function.
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Do I care if you can do a plank for 3 minutes? Nope because it doesn't tell me much about how dynamic your spinal control is, or whether your torso is supple, or whether you can move with coordination or control over a full range of motion.
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When we find core stability, or build strength from the inside out, as I say, we have bodies that are able to support the demands of our voices AND our lives.
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We do this by looking at how the body moves when we breathe, how the core engages when we talk/sing and move, and what the pelvic floor is doing.
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We'll explore all of this in next month's workshop: The Importance of Core Training for Singers.
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February 3rd
12-2pm Eastern
Live on Zoom with a 7 day replay
Registration is $75
Link to register is in linktree in my bio
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#vocalyogi #coretrainingforsingers #singer #voiceteacher #voiceteachersofinstagram #voiceped #vocalpedagogy #singersofinstagram #operasinger #singersongwriter #musicaltheaterperformer #movementforsingers #singersynergy

Took myself on a date this morning to @russellsgar

Took myself on a date this morning to @russellsgardencenter Farm Fiber Day.
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I could have spent the entire day wandering, touching all the yarn, being amongst the orchids and other plants. Balm for the soul in winter.
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Love my tote from @greatbaywoolworks and yarn from @dwdyeworks.
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Looking forward to movie night to cast on my next project!
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#vocalyogi #yarnaddict #knitter #fiberart #metrowest #momlife #soulcare

Saturday morning Jammie flow… - This is the morn

Saturday morning Jammie flow…
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This is the morning that is mom time. My time. No hustling through an early morning routine to make the bus.
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It is time to be with myself and listen to the stories of my body.
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How will you move this weekend?
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#voiceteachersofinstagram #singersofinstagram #momlife #movementforsingers #singer

Last call to register for tomorrow's Synergy Flow

Last call to register for tomorrow's Synergy Flow Class! We'll meet live at 11am eastern and there's a 5 day replay if you can't make it live.
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We're looking at the neck, such a common place of complaint for everyone!
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Function of the larynx is closely connected to function in the shoulder girdle, cervical spine and skull.
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Changes in head position can impact how well the larynx moves and shifts in the cervical spine impact air pressure and control of airflow in the vocal tract.
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How do we solve neck problems to help our voices? Movement!
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Moving in ways that ultimately bring strength into the upper body - shoulder girdle and neck - are key. A whole body approach that also addresses the pelvis relationship to the neck is crucial.
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In tomorrow's class we'll do some stretching AND strengthening of the neck. Plus next month we'll dive into the shoulders. You'll need a stretchy band, like a theraband for the class.
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Registration info is in linktree in my bio. Registration closes 12 hours before class. These classes are always free for library members.
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#vocalyogi #movementforsingers #voiceteacher #singer #singersofinstagram #vocieteachersofinstagram #voice #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #anatomyforsingers

Singers - do you have good core stability? When y

Singers - do you have good core stability?

When you do there is a sense of strength in the body that is calm.

It means you have a great relationship between your larynx, diaphragm, core and pelvic floor - when you sing these elements work together synergistically, managing pressure, supporting each other and making it possible to move and sing with a sense of ease, lightness and fluidity.

Creating this connection is a powerful process for the singing body. The best way I have ever found to create it is through a process of coordinating movement and breathing.

I hope you will join me on Friday February 3, 2023 from 12-2pm Eastern Time for a special workshop: Importance for Core Training for Singers, where we will explore the underpinnings of a core that is well coordinated and how to assess where you are and what to do next!

Early bird registration, $60 ends on Friday, January 20th. Link to full details and registration is in linktree in my bio.

#vocalyogi #singerssynergy #coretrainingforsingers #movementforsingers #voiceteachersofinstagram #singersofinstagram #singer #voice

Singers! What to do about forward head posture? -

Singers! What to do about forward head posture?
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Function of the larynx is connected to function in the shoulder girdle, cervical spine and skull.
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Changes in head position can impact how well the larynx moves and shifts in the cervical spine impact air pressure and control of airflow in the vocal tract.
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To solve it? Movement! Moving in ways that ultimately bring strength into the upper body - shoulder girdle and neck - are key. A whole body approach that also addresses the pelvis relationship to the neck is crucial.
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Join me on Zoom Jan 20th for a Singer Synergy Flow class that is focused on the neck! Link to register is in link tree in my bio.
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#vocalyogi #forwardheadposture #singers #singersofinstagram #voiceteachersofinstagram #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #voice #movementforsingers

Do you vary the ways you position your body while

Do you vary the ways you position your body while you’re at work?
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Though I have a desk I don’t often sit at it.
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I’ll work like this or sit on the floor with my laptop on the coffee table or straddle a yoga booster and put my computer on the piano bench.
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Our bodies crave variety.
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Can you get creative with how you set up your workspace?
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#vocalyogi #movementforsingers #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #singersofinstagram #voiceteachersofinstagram

It took me a while to come to this, but my guiding

It took me a while to come to this, but my guiding word this year is Bloom.
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I like how I feel when I roll the word around in my mind and my mouth.
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The applications of the word are broad from me, covering, personal and professional.
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Do you choose a word of the year?

If so, what’s yours?
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#vocalyogi #wordoftheyear #singer #voiceteacher #businessowners

Singers, is this cycle familiar to you? - You've

Singers, is this cycle familiar to you?
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You've got neck pain and tension so you stretch and massage which provides some in-the-moment relief, but before you know it the pain and tension are back and you are back to stretching?
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It can be a hard cycle to break. I see the way out as one where we slow down, come into the body more fully, move mindfully and develop new patterns, where we replace tension with function and strength.
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I hope you will join me for this month's Synergy Flow Class on January 20th at 11am where we're focusing on the neck. We'll be live on Zoom and I've got you covered with a 5 day replay available to all who register. After 5 days the class will be available for Aligned and Aware Library Members (these classes are always free for those members.)
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Registration is $15 and the link to register is in linktree in my bio.
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#vocalyogi #singersynergy #lovetheinstrumentyoulivein #voice #singer #singersofinstagram #voiceteachersofinstagram #neckpain #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #movementforsingers

If I’m not knitting in my free time I’m probab

If I’m not knitting in my free time I’m probably reading.
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This is my first book of 2023 and it may end up being my favorite book of the year.
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I was an English major as an undergrad and read A LOT of Hawthorne in various classes - even took an entire class on Hawthorne from one of the leading Hawthorne Scholars. I think about reading The Scarlet Letter and how much I appreciate this retelling from a new perspective by @lauriealbanese
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What are you reading now?
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#vocalyogi #read #hester #simgerswhoread #natick #metrowest

Ready for todays Singer Synergy Movement Series Cl

Ready for todays Singer Synergy Movement Series Class!
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We’re starting level 3 out of 4 today which means a new level of challenge!
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Each level has a standing movement segment and a mat segment.
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The segments are both built to address issues from head to toe, focusing on fascial connections that are important to singers!
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The next round will begin in late Feb, so stay tuned for registration info.
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If you want to move with me before then, I’m teaching a synergy flow class on 1/20 focused on the neck. Reg info is in my bio link!
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#vocalyogi #singersofinstagram #voiceteachersofinstagram #voiceteacher #vocalpedagogy #voiceped #movementforsingers #fasciaandthevoice #singer #voice

It’s time to get into the body! - Join me for mo

It’s time to get into the body!
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Join me for monthly movement classes in 2023.
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We’re kicking things off on 1/20 with a class focused on the neck!
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These classes are short and sweet, running for no more than 45 minutes.
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Taught live on Zoom with a 5 day replay for all who register.
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They are available always to members of the Aligned and Aware Library.
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To register see the link in my bio!
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#singer #singersynergy #voiceteachersofinstagram #singersofinstagram #singers #movementforsingers #neckpain #lovetheinstrumentyoulivein

Starting the new year with joy means moving my bod

Starting the new year with joy means moving my body with intention.
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Today brought a beautiful dog walk at the Weston Reservoir and a swim at our local club.
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Are you moving mindfully this year? Moving for joy’s sake? What would that look like for you?
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#vocalyogi #singersynergy #mindfulmovement #movementteacher #joy

Dealing with a voice disorder? Check out this upco

It's time to power down: take a break from the soc

It's time to power down: take a break from the socials, turn off the email notifications and just be for the remainder of the year, spending time with my family, getting outside, reading and resting. See you all in 2023!

TBT to 20+ years ago when I was in Italy singing i

TBT to 20+ years ago when I was in Italy singing in an outdoor concert when fierce winds kicked up (see large potted tree blown over behind me), and sand was whipped in my face.
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Just closed my eyes and kept going, eating a little sand with each breath - at least until the little old lady living above the courtyard threw open her shutters and shouted BASTA! She was ready for bed and not interested in any more Oh Quante Volte ( autocorrect wanted that to say ‘oh aquanet volleyball’ 😂🤣
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#vocalyogi #singerlife #urbania #italy #arias #singer #voice #operasinger

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