Have you ever fantasized about an easy, accessible technique that would help you to manage stress, at any time of the day?

15 years ago, when I started singing, I had no idea I would become so passionate about the art and discipline of Voice Yoga. Nor did I know that I would convey its many benefits and the experiences it brought me to students eager to learn and share the pleasure it brought me. Because I was already a certified yoga teacher, I realized that these two great disciplines – singing and yoga – would work in perfect harmony with one another and that prompted me to create my own version of Voice Yoga.

Controlling the breath: a common feature of both yoga and singing

Bee breathing (Brahmari), a breathing exercise, is a ‘pranayama’ (prana – breath; yama – control). This simple technique has the effect of relaxing and strengthening the muscles of the larynx, which houses the vocal cords. Brahmari also calms the mind, slowing it down into a meditative state.

How to practise Brahmari:

• Sit upright, feet firmly on the ground, hands resting on your thighs. Let your body relax into the posture.
• Tune in to your breath and observe its movement closely for several seconds.
• When you are ready, breathe out through your mouth, as if exhaling through a straw.
• Next, take a short breath in and a long breath out.
• As you breath out, with your lips barely touching, make an elongated ‘MMMMMMM’ sound.
• Repeat this exercise six times. As you gain confidence, you’ll be able to increase the number of breath sequences.

This pranayama is an effective antidote to a hoarse voice or when you need to refocus your energy. The more you practise this exercise, the more you’ll feel the benefits!

An invitation to learn about Voice Yoga

If you’d like to know more about the practise of Voice Yoga, please join me between November 6-8 when I’ll be running a retreat entitled – Éveillez votre voix : sons-méditation-yoga (Awaken your voice : sounds, meditation, yoga). Throughout the weekend, you’ll be performing focused breathing techniques, sound exercises and yoga postures linked to the voice – useful techniques, guaranteed to relax and rejuvenate you and in the process, help you to cope with the pressures of everyday life.  

Looking forward to welcoming you!