Back to the Roots of VOICE...
April 30, 2019
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VOX is the Latin word for VOICE. Per the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, the oldest written sources of western medicine are the Hippocratic writings from the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. (Greek), and these cover all aspects of medicine at that time and contain abundant medical terms. A prime example of VOICE and MUSIC being so integral even in this ancient medical terminology is highlighted by our recognition of “the old Greek tradition” of likening the shape of anatomical structures to musical instruments (along with tools, plants, and animals).
When Greek continued to be the language of medicine in the Roman world at the beginning of the first century A.D., a Roman aristocrat named Aulus Cornelius Celsus wrote De Medicina, an encyclopedia-like overview of all medical knowledge based on Greek sources. Because most Greek medical terms had no Latin equivalents, he imported a few Greek terms directly, he “latinized” some Greek words, and he retained the vivid imagery of the Greek anatomical terms when translating them into Latin. Thus the history of the terminology of medicine as we know it was born! Most medical terminology uses words that are created by prefixes and suffixes in Latin and Ancient Greek, and this “language” is used to precisely describe the human body including its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and the procedures performed upon it (Wikipedia). Paracelsus once said, “Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided”.
VOXFIT™ returns to the foundation and centers on the origin of VOICE, aiming to mesh the medical and performance/occupational voice worlds and educate the patient/client to create a holistic version of the their “best vocal self” and reveal their authentic voice (AV), which has always been present deep within.
Hippocrates once said “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity”. The art of medicine began in the heart—with an intense desire to help others—discovering, diagnosing, developing trust, recommending, rehabilitating, and even curing. The importance of understanding our bodies, our minds, and the related art of caring for and using our bodies and minds in the most optimal ways possible (especially those related to the VOICE) is paramount to living our healthiest lives (vocally and otherwise). Deepak Chopra was quoted saying “Medicine in the future will give everyone the ability to become their own best healer” and I do believe our role in the medical setting is set the patient up for success—educating, guiding, training, rehabilitating, and coaching them to make healthy decisions and use their body, mind, and VOICE in the most efficient, effective, and dynamic ways possible to play an active role in living their BEST LIFE (personally and in the “work” setting).
As we know, our voice will speak to the health of our minds and bodies: this explains why someone might remark that you "seem" tired, annoyed, joyful, sick, excited, or even sad simply by hearing your voice. What does your voice say about you without you even knowing? And how does this affect your ability to impact others? “A physician once said ‘The best medicine for humans is love’…Someone asked, ‘What if it doesn’t work?’…He smiled and said ‘Increase the dose’”.
*Love one another, LOVE yourself, and LOVE your VOICE.*
