1. GENERAL HEADING: Voice and Body Exercises
2. TITLE OF EXERCISE: "Strengthening"
3. GOALS: To place the breath and allow it to find its natural position;
to open the entire ribcage around the center of the body; to allow the diaphragm
to freely move in and out; to activate all muscles that support the outward
breath; to build breath capacity.
4. NUMBER OF STUDENTS: Any.
5. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: None.
6. CLASS TIME NEEDED: 10 minutes
7. STEP-BY-STEP-DESCRIPTION:
- Lie on the floor on your back, making sure your head is not tilting
backwards
- Breathe in and out as you lift your legs so that they are at a right
angle with the rest of your body.
- As you breathe out on an 's', 'z', 'sh', 'm' and 'ha' (and/or text),
you should be returning your legs to the floor slowly as possible with
the legs remaining straight (YOU WILL FEEL THIS the next morning!!!!).
- As you get fit and bold you can extend the routine by bringing the
legs right over your head until your toes touch the floor.
- When finished, draw your knees up to your chest and hug them to release
any back tension.
- Now squat on the floor with your hands in front of you to balance yourself.
Keep the shoulders and head as free as possible. Pant on the diaphragmatic
recovery and then voice the sounds 'sh', 'ha', 'hay', and 'ma.'
- Repeat the sequence but this time on your hands and knees. Keep the
head and shoulders free so look down as you pant and make sounds.
8. POINTS FOR OBSERVATION, DISCUSSION: N.A.
9. SOURCE/REFERENCE: Patsy Rodenburg's The Right to Speak, NYC:
Routledge, 1992.
10. ADDITIONAL READING: N.A.
11. VARIATIONS: N.A.