Proper breathing for the speech process is akin to good fuel for the engine - beautiful speech is impossible without rhythmic and regulated breathing.
It is not easy to feel the process of breathing, because it is involuntary, and as a rule, the person speaking is not aware of it. Only when the speaker lacks air and is forced to intercept it half-word, or if more serious defects are discovered, then the person begins to think about the process of his breathing.
And the larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs are involved in it. The act of breathing combines three stages: inhalation (during which blood receives oxygen), exhalation (decay products are released from the lungs into the blood) and a pause before a new inhalation.
Distinguish between speech and non-speech breathing. Non-speech, or physiological breathing, is carried out automatically. Without it, we are not able to live for half an hour. Inhalation is equal to exhalation and occurs through the nose.
Speech breathing is arbitrary, it allows more rational use of expired air. There is a pause for a short, energetic breath, followed by a prolonged exhalation - the source of the formation of sounds.
Proper speech breathing protects the vocal apparatus from overwork, promotes smoothness, intonational expressiveness, pauses in speech, clear diction, uniform volume, and, of course, it is necessary for speakers and people who want to improve their communication skills.
Correct speech breathing is quite possible to learn. First, they work on the force of exhalation, its duration. Then over pace and rhythm. At the initial stage, breathing techniques are wordless, because first you need to “set” the physiological breathing, and only on its basis can speech development be developed. The main task at this stage is to develop a free, long and smooth exhalation. It is very important not to prevent the diaphragm from making its natural movements, because a free diaphragm is the key to proper breathing.
Starting breathing exercises is very simple.
Exercise one
- Lying on the back, place the right palm where the chest cage ends and the stomach begins, the left on the chest.
- Breathe calmly through your nose, tracking the process.
- Strive to feel the rise and lowering of the abdomen under the right hand - this is a sign of diaphragmatic breathing. Movements under the left hand give out the upper type of breathing (physiologically characteristic of women).
- Exercise is performed for 3-5 minutes.
Second exercise
- Remaining in a supine position, straighten your arms along the body.
- We observe our breathing, breathe through the nose.
- We feel the movements of the abdominal muscles. The chest should be motionless.
- We regulate the flow of breath for 3-5 minutes, after which we get up.
Activities such as blowing soap bubbles, launching paper boats, playing wind instruments, and singing will be very useful.
The result of daily completion of the two above exercises for a week will be your natural unconscious breathing with the diaphragm. After this, you can begin to develop exhalation.
Exercise Three
- Inhale the air as usual, through the nose.
- Exhale any free sound. The jaw should be relaxed and slightly open.
- The lead time is about 4 minutes.
It doesn’t matter that the sound you make is reminiscent of a moan, for it is the sound of healing!
Pay attention to exactly where your sound is born. In the area of the solar plexus is the "conductor of the voice orchestra", which most people "sleep".
Wake him up, and let your voice sound capaciously and convincingly!