Welcome to our Early Autumn Blog! I'll be discussing self care as a voice professional.

For me, self care is all about balance, connection, flow and joy. When I’m out of balance in one area of my life, for example overworking and not planning my two days off, tiredness starts to creep in, which can lead to old stories showing up in my mind. Old thought patterns that no longer serve me. If I’m alert and rested, I can catch them easily and have compassion for them. If I’m over-tired, I’m less likely to do this and it just takes a bit longer to find my peace.

The Healthy Mind Platter 

As the eminent psychologist Dr. Dan Siegel, says about The Healthy Mind Platter he has created,…”And since the brain is continually changing in response to how we focus attention, we can use our awareness in ways that involve the body and our connections to create a healthy mind across the lifespan! We hope that The Healthy Mind Platter creates an appetite for increasing awareness of how to nourish our mental well-being each day too.­­” (*1)

For me, the connection between brain and body creates vitality. If I miss out on doing star jumps or dancing in my kitchen after sitting at my laptop for too long, I start to feel sluggish. My body protests. Equally, if I miss out my daily walks connecting with Mother Nature, I lose one of the most important parts of my day, so I make this a priority.

I also feel nourished by silence, inner connection, which is on Dan Siegel’s daily Healthy Mind Platter. I grew up in a wonderfully noisy household full of children, including neighbours and friends. I wasn’t used to silence. I remember clearly standing in my kitchen one day and asking myself “Who will I be without my problems?” I gave myself time to feel the discomfort and then a feeling of relief and peace took over, that I didn’t need to carry all that I was holding. It was safe to let go and create space in my mind-body for something new to emerge. A nurturing silence is what I now enjoy daily. Time to go within, to reflect, to gather myself.

Voice Care

As for care of my voice, I have now started a simple, realistic practice routine of three minutes, three times a day, called “snacking” by Professor Lynn Helding. I was spending more time helping others thrive vocally than continuing to look after my own voice; a challenge I’m sure many voice professionals will recognise. Those who are beginners will need more than three minutes. This practice is to remind my body of what it already knows, because I am fully trained as a singer, therefore the flexibility of the voice will come back with gentle treatment. 

At the AOTOS (Association of Teachers of Singing) UK Conference in July in Edinburgh, we had the privilege of hearing many inspiring presenters, including Professor Lynn Helding. She advocates for shorter, more deliberate singing practice, which she calls “snacking”. Instead of overdoing singing practice at the weekends, along with less talking during teaching sessions, voice professionals can protect their own voices better, avoiding the grief of not singing any more, if you have a career as both a performer and voice teacher.

Delicious and nutritious

Part of my daily wellbeing routine is to start the morning with a cup of my favourite organic vegetable mineral broth. It has eleven ingredients and I make it in my biggest pot. The recipe came from nutritionist, Karen Scobie, who helped me to adapt my nutritional intake during perimenopause. It is worth the effort every few weeks and provides essential minerals and electrolytes as part of a balanced diet. Please get in touch if you'd like the recipe! 

Workshop Reminders

Here is a reminder that a few tickets are still available for the  Scottish ‘Pause Summit, where I’ll be delivering a workshop on World Menopause day on October 18th in Glasgow's city centre. 

Our next Find Your Voice Singing Workshops for Women in Glasgow's city centre are: 

Monday 12th October 6pm-7pm

Monday 19th October 6pm-7pm

Monday 9th November 6pm-7pm

Monday 30th November 6pm-7pm

Monday 7th December 6pm-7pm

Our next Edinburgh workshop, 'Breathe well. Sing well. Live well.' will be announced soon. 

Testimonial

Lastly, here is a testimonial from a student, who formed her own practice routine and gained confidence singing with her guitar at Burns Suppers.

“Looking to improve my voice range, prevent throat strain and build confidence, I booked lessons with Louise. In a relaxed comfortable environment I was taught the importance of engaging the whole body when singing, and how to do this. Stage by stage, with patience and humour, Louise helped me address my own physical and psychological barriers to improvement using a range of natural techniques to improve their balance. I surprised myself with the improvements in my voice range and technique and I leave each lesson feeling like I’m walking on air. Singing is definitely good for you and Louise’s holistic approach makes it feel even better”

                                                                                                                            B. Hats

(*1) The Healthy Mind Platter was created by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute and Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine in collaboration with Dr. David Rock, Executive Director of the NeuroLeadership Institute.