Posture and it's affect on Breathing

So, today's theme for teaching had to do with posture. Namely holding one's frame to promote proper breathing. Of all the main topics of singing, figuring out how to breath is the one thing that singers seem to struggle with most. I'm sure I'll have many topics of discussion on breathing, but this one is to do specifically with how you stand.

When you stand, make sure first of all that your stance is strong. To check this, stand up and look down at your feet. Are your feet together? I hope not! Make sure you stand with your feet shoulder width apart with one foot slightly in front of the other. In doing so, you will increase your overall strength which sets you up for correct breathing coordination. O.k., so the next part of standing strong to promote deep breathing is to keep your chest up.

Here's something for you to try...Take a deep breath in and then keep your chest up when you exhale as if there was a string pulling upward from your sternum (the bone that goes down the center of your chest). By keeping the chest up, when you take another breath it will naturally fill your abdomen. That's what you want. If you sing in a choir and often find yourself holding up a folder, try standing with your elbows up and out like a dancer. In doing so, you will feel your ribcage expand and will make this breathing method happen even more easily.

Good luck!!!