Latest / The Vocal Hack Podcast / #04 Vocal Technique: Breathwork - The Vocal Hack Podcast
Transcript
- Joana Lisboa: Hi, I'm Joana. Welcome back to VocalHack Podcast, where we explore the tools, ⁓ the mindset shifts that help you speak with confidence and live with authenticity. Assumpta Munsi: Hi, I am Assumpta and today we're diving into something that most people completely overlook. But it's actually the foundation of your voice. Joana Lisboa: Your breath! Assumpta Munsi: Exactly. Because before you project, before you articulate, before you influence, you breathe. Joana Lisboa: And the way you breathe directly shapes how you sound, how you feel and how others perceive you. Assumpta Munsi: Let's start with a simple question. How many people actually think about their breathing during a conversation? Joana Lisboa: Almost no one and yet we see it all the time in our coaching sessions. People running out of breath mid-sentence, speaking too fast or sounding tense and shaky. Assumpta Munsi: Or the opposite, holding their breath when they're nervous, especially in high stakes moments like presentations or meetings. And it does the opposite. It makes you even more nervous. Joana Lisboa: thing, your breath is your power ⁓ If your breathing shallow, your voice will sound weak, unstable and rushed. Assumpta Munsi: when your breath is and your voice becomes fuller, calmer, and more assertive without forcing anything. Joana Lisboa: It's not about speaking louder, it's about speaking with support. Assumpta Munsi: So important. Let's talk about a few common ⁓ that might be sabotaging your voice. Joana Lisboa: Number one, ⁓ breathing. Assumpta Munsi: That is when your shoulders lift, your chest tightens, and your breath stays very high and shallow. It's almost like you're not even using your whole body. You're just trying to stuck all the breath in your chest. Joana Lisboa: It's great if you're running from a big bear and running for your life from danger, but not so great when you're trying to communicate clearly. Assumpta Munsi: Number two, speaking on empty. What does that mean? Joana Lisboa: People start speaking without enough air and then halfway through the sentence ⁓ everything collapses. Assumpta Munsi: And it creates tension, strain and that feeling of losing control of your voice. Joana Lisboa: And number three, over controlling the breath. Assumpta Munsi: Yes, trying to manage the breath too much instead of allowing it to flow naturally. Joana Lisboa: Breath is not something you force. It's something that you allow and guide. So, let's make this practical. listening right now, ⁓ invite to pause ⁓ whatever doing, if it's possible, of course, and try this with us. ⁓ Assumpta Munsi: No need for anything fancy, just yourself and a little bit of space around you so you can sit or stand comfortably with your spine tall but relaxed. Joana Lisboa: and start by placing one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Assumpta Munsi: Take a moment to notice how your breathing is right now without changing anything. Just observe. Joana Lisboa: Now gently inhale through your nose and allow the breath to travel downwards so your belly expands slightly like a little balloon. Assumpta Munsi: And exhale slowly through your mouth, like you're fogging up a mirror. If you do yoga, you might know it as the lion's breath, like Joana Lisboa: Yes. Let's do it again. Inhale, letting the belly soften and expand like a balloon. Assumpta Munsi: Exhale long, slow Joana Lisboa: Notice how your shoulders stay relaxed. The movement is happening in the lower part of your body. Assumpta Munsi: Now, this one might sound familiar to some of you already, but we're going to add some sound. On your next exhale, gently release an S sound like air escaping out of a little hole. Joana Lisboa: Inhale and exhale S. Assumpta Munsi: Try to make that sound last as long and as steady as possible. This builds breath control and support. It's basically a workout for your muscles and your lungs. Joana Lisboa: again inhale and S Assumpta Munsi: Now let's connect this to your voice. On the next exhale instead ⁓ ⁓ use a soft 'mhmmmh' as if you would smell your favorite cookies in the oven. Joana Lisboa: Inhale and you Assumpta Munsi: Feel the vibration. This is your voice riding on your breath. Joana Lisboa: And that's the key. Your voice is not separate from your breath. It depends on it. Assumpta Munsi: So, now how do you bring this into your daily communication? Joana Lisboa: First, pause and breathe before you speak. Especially in important moments like presentations or speeches or just speaking with someone. Assumpta Munsi: That tiny pause can completely change how you come across. It makes you seem more grounded and more intentional. Joana Lisboa: Second, don't rush your sentences. Let your breath guide your pacing. Assumpta Munsi: Probably whatever you think is too slow is exactly the right tempo. And third, practice this regularly. Not when you're nervous, but as part of your daily routine. Because those things are habits that need to be built, so they work for you when you need them. Joana Lisboa: Yeah. Yes, because breath work isn't just a technique, it's an habit, Assumpta said. If you do it ⁓ you start to a master of this. And when moment is right, when you really need it, when you need to feel calm, ⁓ you're gonna the difference. Assumpta Munsi: Yeah, exactly. If there's one thing we want you to take from this episode, it's this. Joana Lisboa: ⁓ breath. Assumpta Munsi: And when you learn to master your breath, you unlock a completely new level of presence and confidence. Joana Lisboa: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear this, literally. Assumpta Munsi: And we'd to hear from you. What changed when you started paying attention to your breath? Joana Lisboa: Until next time, bye! Assumpta Munsi: See you next week! Bye!