Be Empowered - Discover Your Authentic Voice
How can somatic voice coaching benefit you?
You may think that voice technique only belongs in a singing or acting class to help professionals enhance their tone, increase their range or project it more powerfully.
But voice technique can have other benefits for people who never want to be in front of a microphone.
I have been a voice coach for around 20 years and in that time I've supported many people to discover and perfect their singing voices, however, many of them have reported that outside of performance goals, they have benefitted from having more confidence, a better posture and a steadiness to their voice that has helped them in the way they express themselves in all areas of their lives.
So, rather than thinking of the voice as nice, horrible, or as a muscle to strengthen, improve, and control, why not discover your authentic voice as an integral part of your whole-body instrument that can positively inspire, enrich, heal and bring much joy to your life and those with whom you share it.
But what does that really mean?.....
My approach delves deeper into the relationship that we have with our voices and how we express ourselves and interact with others. Your voice is the instrument of your mind - a unique expression, but it's surprising how so many people don't like the sound of their voice when they hear it played back, don't even consider it, or feel that it's not loud enough, soft enough, assertive enough etc. Can we learn to love our voices and use them to make a difference in our relationships?
Absolutely yes!
When you are parenting teens, for example, you can sense that sometimes you can connect with them or alienate yourself from them, so it begs the question, is it what you say or how you say it?
It's the same with any relationship. I've lost count of the times I've calmed a situation at work just by reconnecting to my voice and body and communicating with more presence.
We have a myriad of interactions that we partake in every day - so your voice is pretty important.
True empowerment lies in observation.
For example; When you are in a situation that feels a little uncomfortable, observing how your body feels and how that affects your voice will help you to witness the result of tension in your expression, for example, feeling like you have a 'small voice' or holding back from speaking truthfully. If we are aware of something, we're in a better position to change what does not belong to our authentic expression, and adopt what does belong.
I teach techniques that help you to focus, quiet the mind and reconnect to your WHOLE body instrument. You tune into the physical sound of your voice and I take you through gentle exercises to move your voice gently to different areas of your body. The vibrations can be felt within so you become more and more aware of how the voice and body are one. Due to the myriad of distractions in life that pull you out of the intimacy with your body and voice, this is an effective way to focus your energy and empower your expression.
The important thing is to build up fitness with your voice and know how to use it. It then becomes a tool to reconnect to presence consistently when the mind gets too loud. It also helps you to be more intuitively responsive in situations and react less.
Creating a daily ritual where you reconnect to your body and voice is necessary as a way of building this fitness so that you are ready for impromptu challenges that arise.
A steady, settled and confident voice carrying a gentle authority (not commanding) unapologetically, in whichever way you use your voice, will improve not only your physical and mental wellbeing, but will fortify and deepen your connection to yourself and others whether those 'others' are an audience or a loved one.
What does an empowered voice coaching session
look like - what would you be doing?
Each lesson is very different according to your personal circumstances, but as an example:
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We explore one specific issue that's affecting you right now and how this is affecting your body, your voice and the way you express yourself.
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Having identified the issue and how it may hold you back in other situations, you name this in your words and with your voice.
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I then take you through a meditation to reconnect to your body, breath and voice. We observe the mechanism of your breath and locate the diaphragm and start bringing sound from there.
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We explore diaphragmatic and pelvic breathing which gives more power to your voice. We explore movements and posture that ease deeper breathing and release tension for the voice to be free.
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All the voice exercises will be carefully and precisely sounded from the whole body instrument, always with full awareness of the quality of vibrations from within.
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We may work on a song or have fun improvising (if you want feedback on your voice I will give it but if you don't want to be listened to, this can be done online and you can be muted in the comfort of your home).
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We can agree on daily rituals that support you to maintain consistency and I will support you via messenger between sessions.
How much does
a session cost ?
I offer a 6-week package so you can feel the benefits of voice coaching. If you wish to continue after the course, you may do so, session by session, at the rhythm that you feel is convenient and beneficial to you. The investment for this 6-week programme is £200 which includes 6 x 1-hour sessions along with Messenger support during the programme. I will also help you to organise a practice plan tailored to your requirements. Online groups are also offered with or without individual feedback. This is a more economical way of working with me at £20 per person.
I also offer a 90-minute voice empowerment session to get clear on what is holding your voice back and to learn some exercises that will help you experience more power and resonance in your voice. I take you through a vibrational attunement by supporting you to reconnect to your body using your voice. This helps you to focus your attention within rather than on the expectations from outside. Especially beneficial for anyone preparing for a presentation or even going on a new date! The investment for this is £60
Hourly rate - If you want one-off voice coaching and wish to pay per hour, the sessions are £45.