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Yoga for Better Singing - Tadasana


The benefits of a healthy and regular yoga practice have been acclaimed in all spheres of life, music being no exception. A good voice may be your natural talent but everything good requires betterment. In order to sing well and with ease, you need to train your voice. There are various was of training your voice and body to enhance your singing and yoga is one of them. Adopt and maintain a regular yoga practice to keep your body in tune with your voice. Yoga will improve your concentration and focus when singing, make you relaxed, and enhance breathing and posture (alignment).

Pranayama (breathing exercises) practice is vital, without breath there is no voice. In order to sing well, you must be able to control your breath. Ujayi breathing (victorious breath is one of the essential forms of Pranayama. According to Wai Lana, a Hawaiian yoga teacher, Ujayi Pranayama "tones the lungs and encourages the free and healthy flow of prana" and helps to regulate blood pressure and oxygenate all parts of the lungs. It also builds up internal body heat.
Alternate nasal breathing is another relevant form of Pranayama that heals overworked vocal cords
The following asana (yoga poses) would also be helpful: Tadasana, Dandasana, Utkatasana, Uttanasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana.
How to Get Into Tadasana
Awareness could be the "magical" ingredient you are missing, which you could achieve by practicing the Mountain Pose. Tadasana is the foundation for all standing poses in yoga, and can hence be done by beginners in yoga. To do the Mountain Pose,
1.   Stand with your feet together and let your arms rest at the sides of your thighs.
2.  Press your weight evenly across the arches and balls of your feet. Let your breathing be steady and rhythmical.
3.  Draw your big toes together, heels could be apart or touch, and firmly ground your feet into the earth.
4.  Tighten your knees and pull your knee caps in, contract your hips and pull them upwards.
5.  Keep your spine erect, draw your stomach in, keep your neck straight and your head and chest in alignment with the rest of your body.
6.  Stand firm and take in a few deep breaths, be mindful and conscious of your breathing. Pay attention to the distribution of your weight on heels and toes, let it be even.
7.   With your eyes closed, continue breathing for 5 to 10 minutes if no other asana accompanies Tadasana.
8.   You could vary Tadasana by practicing with your arms stretched out over your head and not at the sides of your thighs.
Tadasana improves your singing ability by:
  • Rooting you firmly to the ground,
  • Increasing energy and enthusiasm,
  • Strengthening your spine,
  • Improving your confidence,
  • Enhancing your posture,
  • Steadying your breathing,
  • Increasing awareness,
  • Harmonizing your body and mind,
  • Firming your abdomen.


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