Power of the PLANK, PRESS ON, Collaboration between SLP and Dentist, New Research on Teachers, & PYV!

Enjoy some educational and inspiring blog reading and be sure to roll your shoulders and focus on slow and nasal breathing as you do! Make it a great day!

POWER of the PLANK!!! 

When was the last time you did a PLANK?!

Have you ever tried speaking or singing while holding your plank? Or while performing cardiovascular exercise? There is so much FREEDOM in allowing your BODY to take over for your voice, instead of think you need to push from the throat.

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If you aren’t focusing on CORE strength (or body strength in general), you’re not doing all that you can to SUPPORT your VOICE.

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If you aren’t CONNECTING to your BODY (grounding, scanning, energizing, anchoring, engaging, activating, releasing, allowing…), you aren’t doing all you can to SUPPORT your VOICE .

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By targeting (activating, strengthening, stretching, incorporating) the bigger BODY  MUSCLES, your smaller (voice-related) muscles stand a chance at upholding all the demands, dynamics, and endurance-related requirements you impart upon them.
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Your body is always READY to HELP your VOICE. There are also things that you can do to further enhance and amplify this readiness… core strength, cardio, weight training, respiratory muscle training (and/or respiratory muscle strength training), voice+body connection, stretching/yoga, mindfulness, body awareness, tension release, etc.
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Make a plan to PRIORITIZE vocal AND body-related FITNESS. It could be as simple as finding that perfect plank form on your knees and holding for thirty seconds… and trying to work up in time and eventually lift your knees. It could be weight training three to four times per week, targeting those big body muscles you can ANCHOR your voice “from” (pecs, lats, back, etc.). Truly commit to these goals and the plan you create… and re-assess your voice, mindset, endurance, and attitude. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

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#voxfit #voice #prioritizeyourvoice #pyv #healthyvoice #vocalhealth #vocalwellness #vocalefficiency #vocaldynamics #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #fitnessinstructor #singer #prioritizeyourhealth #letsgo #fitness #vocalfitness #vocalinstrument #occupationalvoiceuser #plank #core

PRESS ON!!! 

I gotta say there is an incredible amount of POWER in community. And support groups. And pursuing those things that light your inner fire, a.k.a. your PASSION. AND there is power in FAITH and in HOPE.
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Somehow it happened this week that the first Tuesday and the second Thursday of the month fell on the same week. Those special days house the support groups I help lead — the first Tuesday is @spohncusa (support for people with oral head and neck cancer) and the second Thursday is @dysphonia_intl (supporting those with laryngeal dystonias and other related voice conditions). LET ME TELL YOU that although it may mean I have longer days/nights, I am so FILLED UP and eternally GRATEFUL for these OPPORTUNITIES!!!!!!!! Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do everyday for “work”— at the ENT clinic, through VOXFIT®, and teaching at the studio, but THESE support groups are the things that truly FILL MY CUP!!! There are those that say you shouldn’t do anything “for free”, but  it is in these times that I find PURPOSE. To help others find community, support, and HOPE along their journeys is an incredible privilege.
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One (very inspiring) individual in one of the groups shared something that was profound. He also is someone that “died” during one of his surgeries (but survived) and is fifteen years post radiation and chemo (when he was given weeks to live… many years ago). He said that it is easy to become depressed, especially if we are alone. BUT if we take three letters away from that word (depressed)—the letters D, E and I… we are left with the phrase PRESS ON. And we must. He also says it’s important to “handle things with humor” and ALWAYS HAVE HOPE.
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So I’m here to encourage you today to PRESS ON. And please know I’m HERE if you ever need support, a listening ear, or a friend. Please reach out. Sending HUGS to your heart (and voice)!  

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#voxfit #voice #supportgroup #community #support #spohnc #dysphoniainternational #headandneckcancer #dystonia #passion #purpose #poweredbypassion #occupationalvoiceuser #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #hopedealer #hope #faith #strength #presson

DID YOU KNOW That There Should Be a Collaborative Relationship Between Dentists and Speech Pathologists? 

The dental provider upholds a role in advocating for patients with voice, upper airway, and swallowing disorders (including those with trismus and/or head/neck cancer). However, are dental professionals even educated on the importance of this role? 

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Sara (@scharns) and I have been asked to speak at an upcoming dental conference on exactly this! We are SO excited to be providing a three-hour course at the Arizona Dental Association’s 2024 Western Regional Dental Experience that aims to educate those in the dental professions on their crucial role in identifying appropriate referrals to laryngology/otolaryngology and speech pathology teams and in advocating for patients to obtain the most optimal care related to voice, upper airway, and/or swallowing function. The course will cover voice-related anatomy and physiology, voice disorders (functional, structural, and neurological) including audio samples, perceptual and auditory assessment of voice conditions (including how those in the dental field can notice voice disorders and advocate for their patients to get help for their voice disorders), vocal health (research, tips/tricks, and rules of thumb), head and neck cancer (and the role of the dentist in screening and advocating for these patients), the importance of oral care in preventing aspiration pneumonia, the importance of dental health in preventing osteoradionecrosis, the role of the ENT/laryngologist and speech pathologist in treating voice/upper airway/swallowing disorders (and when to suggest referring a patient to otolaryngology-related care), and a variety of resources for patients with voice disorders and/or head and neck cancer (support groups, etc.). We also hope to educate dental professionals on optimal vocal health practices to utilize as providers (as they are occupational voice users), and assist them in realizing their important role within the clinical pathway for these patients (as they often may be the first contact point that could provide advocacy).

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The idea for this course came about within our local dystonia support group; one of our leaders is close friends with her dentist (who has learned so much about laryngeal dystonia because of her!). He believes that more dentists should know about how to identify voice (and other related) disorders and play a role in getting speedy help for these patients. 

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Really looking forward to creating this course and being involved with the dental community at this conference in the spring but also in general. A unique and new endeavor but excited about opening the door to collaboration within this community. I  truly believe EDUCATION IS POWER and so is advocating for our patients. Combining the two and being afforded the opportunity to speak my PASSION about both is something I am very grateful for. And stoked to do it with one of my fave voice sistas!

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Cheers to new adventures!

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#voxfit #voice #speechpathologist #dentist #arizonadentalassociation #research #voicespecialist #speechpathology #swallowing #voicedisorders #swallowingdisoreders #oralheadandneckcancer #trismus #obturator #awareness #education #passion #purpose #collaboration 

Non-Teachers Have BETTER Acoustic Characteristics of VOICE as Compared to TEACHERS?!! 

An incredibly recent study (published November 14, 2023!) looked into understanding and documenting the voice and acoustic characteristics of teachers. As we know, teachers are professional and occupational voice users, and the vocal demands required of these professionals are considered unique and extensive. I personally like to include fitness instructors and other types of instructors into this group because the vocal demands and voice-related duties are very similar within the groups although, of course, each separate one does encompass some group-specific differences and challenges. All teachers/instructors desire to possess a “voluminous and strongly-carrying voice that can be maintained for a prolonged period of time”, and are required to use that voice to educate/teach/train/coach their students/clients/listeners while aiming to positively impact the lives of these individuals. I’m also excited about this study because my next research study will involve this very special group of occupational voice users (TEACHERS!). If you are a teacher or know someone who is and would like to be a part of our study, please reach out!! More info to come though!
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The results of the study showed that “non-teachers of both sexes had better acoustic characteristics of voice as compared to teachers, signifying that the extended and prolonged voice use, an occupational demand of the teaching profession, led to vocal loading affecting the acoustic characteristics of teachers’ voices”(Yeshoda & Rajasudhakar, 2023).
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I’ve done several posts on VOCAL LOAD, VOCAL DEMAND, VOCAL SCHEDULE, VOCAL DOSE, and other related concepts. As shown to be true via the study, less awareness of the impact of these concepts can contribute to sub optimal changes in actual voice quality as measured by acoustics. However, attention to these concepts (and incorporation of them into your vocal health-related toolbox or “school bag” or “gym bag” ) will positively impact the acoustic characteristics of your voice and improve your ability to continue using that voice for the extended periods you need to as related to your occupational demands…. Which does lie quite within the realm of your MISSION as an occupational voice user within a helping profession.
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#prioritizeyourvoice 

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#voxfit #voice #prioritizeyourvoice #teacher #instructor #fitnessinstructor #professor #fitpro #research #vocalload #occupationalvoiceuser #professionalvoiceuser #prevention #vocalinstrument

 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_ ...