TONS OF INFO AND UPDATES from July 29-Sept 23!

Enjoy A LOT of educational & inspiring blog reading & be sure to roll your shoulders & focus on "low and slow" & nasal breathing as you do! Make it a GREAT day. YOU are worthy and YOUR VOICE is BEAUTIFUL. #DONTFORGETIT 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Qigong's Impact on Voice

Join the #fitpro Course Waitlist

Singer's Way Summit Highlights

Occupational Voice Users

Box Breathing

#reminders

THE DIAPHRAGM

Walk for Talk 2024

and PYV! 

QIGONG ANYONE?...  

Have you ever done QIGONG before? Or TAI CHI? Do you know that BOTH methods have positive effects on the MIND, BODY, and BREATHING? And this new study (Gong et al., 2024) is showing that one type of Qigong (Liuzijue Qigong/LQG) has positive effects on the VOICE as well. It’s easy to assume that WOULD be the case though, because these methods involve the mind-body-breath connection which has positive benefits on LIFE in general and is an excellent way to support an efficient and effective VOICE.

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Qigong is recognized as a mind-body aerobic exercise and a “medical exercise”; it has been used to improve physical and psychological health and treat chronic diseases. It is a “combination of breathing regulation, postures relaxation, meditation, and concentration”. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of Qigong (including a variety of types) have identified advantages of this method on improving the function of respiratory muscles and skeletal muscles, patient exercise capacity, psychological function, and quality of life. LQG is “similar to voice therapy as it includes body posture movements and specific SOVTE-related vocalizations that can regulate respiratory and phonatory-related functions”. The study aimed to measure the outcome of the LQG posture on vocal aerodynamics in healthy volunteers to explore the potential mechanism of LQG as a voice therapy. The subjects performed phonation tasks at the sitting and LQG postures; these postures involve a “slight squat with bending knees” and also include pronunciations as mentioned above, and body and limb movements while maintaining this posture. The seated position was chosen as the comparison because it is the “regular position for evaluating voice and undergoing voice therapy”. The results validated the effects of the LQG posture in improving phonation: there was an increased expiratory volume (maximum amount of air potentially available for use in phonation) in the LQG posture as it “helped to tighten abdominal muscles and to stabilize the muscles of the lower trunk”. The study revealed that the LQG posture "increases the function of the respiratory and vocal musculatures instantly, and induces the respiratory and vocal system in coordination to improve phonation". Based on the study result, it is expected that long-term LQG-related training has the potential to increase the amount of available lung capacity used for phonation, strengthen the phonation musculature, coordinate glottal airflow with vocal muscular effort, and reorganize the neuromuscular program for phonation function.

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HOW COOL! Just another reminder that the BODY supports the voice and the CONNECTION of body to breath to mind to movement to VOICE is a stellar one. QIGONG anyone?! #movementismedicine

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#voxfit #qigong #taichi #movementismedicine #liuzijueqigong #research #voice #mindbodyconnection #mindbodybreath #prioritizeyourvoice #voicesfittoinspire #occupationalvoiceuser #voicetherapy #vocalefficiency #vocalhealth #chooseyourbestvoice #protectyourvoice #healthyvoice 

ATTENTION FITPROS!! GET ON THE COURSE WAITLIST!!!

 CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE FOR DETAILS...

🚨🚨ATTENTION fitpros, fitness instructors, and/or all those who care about these occupational voice users!!!! 🚨🚨
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SOMETHING BIG is finallyyyyy COMING!!!! 🙌🏼👏🏻🗣️💪🏻Check out this video that briefly explains how to easily get on the waitlist for all info, updates, and discounts related to the upcoming release of the long-time-coming VOXFIT®️ #fitprovoice course entitled VOCAL MASTERY for FITPROS: Voices FIT to INSPIRE!!! 🙌🏼🗣️🗣️ And Sidenote: you can also access this via the Linktree link in my bio🙌🏼
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STAY TUNED for details but as you know, it’s my PASSION and MISSION…..and I think YOU’RE GONNA LOVE IT!!! 🙌🏼🗣️💪🏻💗
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#voxfit #voice #fitness #vocalfitness #bevocallyfit #fitnessprofessional #fitnessinstructor #occupationalvoiceuser #professionalvoiceuser #voicesfittoinspire #chooseyourbestvoice #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #newcoursedroppingsoon #comingsoon #getonthewaitlist #poweredbypurpose #poweredbypassion #missiontomakeadifference #prioritizeyourvoice

Singer's Way Summit 2024! 

I was also recently a part of the Singer's Way Summit 2024 ..

check out a few video highlights!!

All about the CORE, voice-body-support connection here

Power of VOICE and FITNESS combined here

ALL ABOUT those SOVTEs here 

 #singerswaysummit

OCCUPATIONAL VOICE USERS                (one of my favorite topics...) 

BOX BREATHING... 

If you aren’t utilizing BOX BREATHING in your daily life, I wanna ask you why…!?💨

There are sooooo many benefits AND it’s super easy to start …AND form into a habit…

The BOX BREATHING exercise:
4 count inhale
4 count breath hold
4 count exhale
4 count breath hold

*Ideally in and out through the nose
*Definitely in through the nose, can exhale through mouth
*Ideally six cycles
*Longer exhalations will elicit a stronger parasympathetic response, which is a variation of the exercise, to more deeply relax the body (Breath, James Nestor)
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Benefits:
-Reduces heart rate
-Reduces blood pressure
-Slows breathing
-Reduces anxiety
-Calms a racing mind
-Calms the nervous system
-Improves oxygen delivery to cells
-Guides us back to parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”) vs sympathetic (“fight or flight”)
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Did you know? If your job (or anything) is stressful, your heart rate will be higher, & you will be more reactive to stress. When you practice breathing slow, your vagus nerve releases acetylcholine to slow the heart. Over time, this improves your heart rate variability—your heart’s resilience to stress (Atomic Focus, Patrick McKeown). 🙌🏼🫀
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Also from the same amazing book: “Slow breathing at a rate of six breaths per minute deactivates your stress response & switches your body back to “rest & digest” mode (parasympathetic nervous system)—the state in which you can use your intelligence to respond to problems rather than using your instincts to react to them.”
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Focusing on breathing light, slow, and deep increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain!! It stimulates the vagus nerve. It achieves optimal movement of the diaphragm. And helps to bring a calmness to the body & mind. And when your mind is calm, concentration & attention span increase. Win win. 💯
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Breathe better Live better. 💨🫁
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Start with box breathing & FEEL the difference. 🫶🏻🗣️💨

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#voxfit #voice #breathing #breathingexercises #boxbreathing #breath #breathe #parasympatheticnervoussystem #prioritizeyourvoice #pyv #healthyvoice #vocalhealth #vocalwellness #vocalefficiency #vocaldynamics #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #fitnessinstructor #prioritizeyourhealth #letsgo #vocalinstrument #occupationalvoiceuser

DON'T FORGET...

#truuuuuth 

#ownit 

#thereisnoonelikeyou 

#beyourself 

#letitshine 

#thereisonlyoneyou 

#thatisyoursuperpower 

#dothosethingsthatbringyoujoy 

#onlyoneyouforalleternity 

#youarelight 

#becomeyourbestself 

#chooseyourbestvoice 

#movementismedicine 

#prioritizeyourvoice 

#voxfit 

THE DIAPHRAGM... 

“This is why breathing deeply CALMS THE MIND. Breathing at a rate of 4.5 to 6.5 breaths/minute ACTIVATES your body’s RELAXATION response & BALANCES your NERVOUS SYSTEM, as well as OPTIMIZES heart rate variability & blood pressure” (The Breathing Cure, Patrick McKeown).💯💨🫀🫁🧠
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If your job (or anything) is stressful, your heart rate may be higher,& you will be more reactive to stress. When you practice breathing slow, your vagus nerve releases acetylcholine to slow the heart (as mentioned in the graphic). Over time, this improves your heart rate variability—your heart’s resilience to stress (Atomic Focus, Patrick McKeown). 🙌🏼🫀
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From The Breathing Cure book: “Heart rate variability (HRV)🫀is a useful index of WELL-BEING & RESILIENCE. Good HRV indicates a healthy balance in the autonomic nervous system & is indicative of good health. It is possible to access the benefits of optimal HRV using THE BREATH. Numerous studies have shown that breathing at a rate of 6 breaths per minute OPTIMIZES HRV & produces LASTING positive effects. The first adjustment you must make to improve your HRV is to switch to full-time NASAL BREATHING.👃🏻💨💯 Breathing only through the nose during rest, physical exercise, & sleep SLOWS THE BREATH, ACTIVATES THE DIAPHRAGM, & STIMULATES THE VAGUS NERVE”.
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This book also mentioned a cool study where participants practiced diaphragm-related breathing training exercises over 8 weeks, & (static & dynamic) BALANCE & BREATHING were assessed every week. Researchers found that each week as breathing scores improved, participants showed fewer errors in single-leg balancing, which suggests that diaphragm breathing may help IMPROVE BALANCE! #themoreyouknow🫁💨🙌🏼
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Also from Atomic Focus: “SLOW BREATHING deactivates your stress response & switches your body back to “rest & digest” mode (PARASYMPATHETIC nervous system).” Focusing on breathing light, slow, & deep INCREASES BLOOD FLOW & OXYGEN DELIVERY TO THE BRAIN!!! It stimulates the vagus nerve, achieves optimal movement of the diaphragm, & helps to bring a calmness to the body & mind. And when your mind is calm, concentration & attention span increase. Win win.💯 Breathe better Live better.💨🫁

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#voxfit #voice #breathing #breathingexercises #breath #breathe #diaphragm #oxygenadvantage #lightslowdeep #diaphragmaticbreathing #parasympatheticnervoussystem #prioritizeyourvoice #pyv #healthyvoice #vocalhealth #vocalwellness #vocalefficiency #vocaldynamics #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #fitnessinstructor #prioritizeyourhealth #letsgo #vocalinstrument #occupationalvoiceuser

WALK FOR TALK 2024...

(check out the video above!!!!)

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN!!!! 

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WALK FOR TALK!!!!

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I am involved with a wonderful support group for people with laryngeal dystonias and related voice conditions through @dysphonia_intl . Support groups are a huge PASSION of mine and I’m grateful to be a part of them.

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Dysphonia International is an amazing organization with a MISSION to improve the lives of people affected with spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through research, education, awareness, and SUPPORT. 

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Our annual fundraiser is called the WALK FOR TALK. It’s an annual 4-day event that serves to raise awareness for spasmodic dysphonia (aka laryngeal dystonia) and other voice-related conditions.

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It provides a chance to feel empowered by expanding AWAWARENESS AND RAISING FUNDS for research. We WALK to raise awareness and help find answers, better treatments, and CURES for these voice disorders that impact so many people in our communities. All donations are DOUBLED dollar-for-dollar (EVERY GIFT GOES EVEN FURTHER!). 

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YOU can be a part of the 4-day event this year taking place October 17-20 across the world. There is no cost and you can register online. It’s also YOUR CHOICE how you participate—you can simply DONATE to the organization or a local group (check out the link in our bios!).

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You can also USE YOUR FEET to HELP US DEFEAT laryngeal dystonias and related voice conditions by walking, running, hiking, surfing, biking, swimming, etc.! OR, YOU CAN JOIN US at a local WALK FOR TALK event! In Scottsdale, we are meeting on SATURDAY OCTOBER 19th..COME JOIN the fun!! No matter where you live, YOU CAN BE A PART OF WALK FOR TALK.

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Check out the Dysphonia International website or reach out to one of us for details all about the local Scottsdale AZ WALK FOR TALK event!! We have lots of fun things planned and can’t wait to see you there!! 

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Remember, every dollar raised brings us one step closer to a CURE! Be sure to take photos and use hashtag #walkfortalk on social media. Looking forward to seeing you there! Let’s GO!! 

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#voxfit #voice #walkfortalk #dysphoniainternational #spasmodicdysphonia #laryngealdystonia #vocaltremor #voicedisorder #voicedisorders #speechpathologist #speechpathology #laryngology #voicespecialist #awareness #community #supportgroup #fundraiser #spreadawareness #useyourfeettodefeatspasmodicdysphonia #makeadifference #scottsdale 

I also got my 11th ACE Award.. this is an award given by ASHA (American Speech Hearing Association, the national governing body of speech pathologists and audiologists) to people who go over and above the required hours for continuing education. I'm not sharing this to gab about the award, I'm sharing this to highlight my LOVE for continuing education, and continuing to learn and grow in general, and I encourage everyone to do the same! Never stop learning!!!! 

PYV: Anddd of course, always REMEMBER to PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE! ... 

How are YOU prioritizing your voice today? And everyday? As an OCCUPATIONAL VOICE USER, it SHOULD be one of your top priorities! 

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What do you need to know to keep your voice healthy?  You should understand how the voice works, how to protect and care for your voice, and how to use your voice and entire vocal mechanism in the most efficient, effective, and dynamic ways possible.  
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I’m super PASSIONATE about this population of voice users (I’m one and most of you are too!), and am HERE TO HELP! Reach out with any questions, concerns, or if you’d like to work together. Email me at [email protected] or DM me on @voxfit_ ...