Identifying Your Vocal Vampires

Vocal Vampires are environmental factors or daily activities that negatively impact your voice. Developing mindfulness around these elements is crucial. Start by reflecting on your personal habits and lifestyle. Consider factors such as sleep quality, diet, hydration, caffeine and alcohol intake, medications, allergies, smoking, and noisy environments. Review your calendar for work schedules and pre-performance routines that might be affecting you. This self-assessment will help you pinpoint your top vocal vampires and develop a plan to tackle them.

For instance, if you recently took a flight, potential vocal vampires could include dehydration, tight hip flexors, lack of sleep, and time zone differences. There’s no quick vocal exercise to fix these issues; instead, you need to hydrate, stretch your hip flexors, and take your allergy medications. Similarly, family reunions might bring stress, emotional baggage, and loud environments. Recognize these as vocal vampires and take steps like practicing breathing exercises, journaling, or simply taking a moment for yourself.

Crafting Your Ideal Life

To put this into practice, I use a document called "Ideal," which maps out my ideal life by year, quarter, month, week, and day. This helps ensure all my needs are met so I can function optimally. For example, I need nine hours of sleep, a specific breakfast, red light therapy in the morning, and some daily luxury for myself. By knowing these details, I avoid resentment and function at my best. Think about what you need and plan for it. Consider how often you want to see family, go on vacation, or get your haircut, and incorporate these into your life.

Your Voice as a Life Barometer

Understand that your voice is a barometer for your life. It reflects what's going on inside you. Start designing your ideal life by incorporating small joys. Maybe it’s a piece of chocolate with your coffee or an extra few minutes in the bathroom. These little luxuries can make a big difference. Change your life, change your voice. This summer, lay the foundation for a better, more vibrant you.

Embracing Micro-Changes

Change doesn’t need to be grand. Start with five-minute adjustments each day. You’ll find that micro-changes can have a huge impact. Prioritize your needs so you can give your best to others. Remember, routines may evolve. What worked before might not work now, and that’s okay. Stay flexible and adapt as needed.

Upcoming Classes and Techniques

Our next class will focus on the vagus nerve and how meditation can prepare you for singing or speaking. We’ll also use the meditation vamp to delve into the story and engage the core of the text, producing a powerful, transformative effect in your performance.

Taking Care of Yourself

Use your voice as a reason to center yourself. When you take care of yourself, you take care of your voice, and when you take care of your voice, you take care of your audience. Changes in your overall health, relationships, and mindset will follow. Reflect on today’s sequence of questions to diagnose your vocal challenges more effectively.

Join the Conversation

Let’s carry this momentum forward and continue the conversation in our community. Reflect on what you need and aim for general positivity when feeling specific negativity. By softening resistance, you can transition from a negative to a positive place and solve your vocal issues more effectively. I’m excited to share this journey with you.

Stay connected and let’s make this summer a transformative experience!

Tom Burke [email protected]
www.expressyourgenius.com
www.tomburkevoice.com
(p) 347-867-TBVS (8287)