Nasal Breathing for Allergy/Sinus Relief, Tips for Instructing, and PYV!

The Week of August 22nd & 29th BLOGs: 

Tuesday Toss Up: Nasal Breathing for Sinus/Allergy Relief...

Allergies & sinus issues are definitely a thing, YES.  

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But HOW can NASAL BREATHING improve your allergy response &/or reduce the effects that allergies or sinus issues might have on your voice & your body? 

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By nasal breathing, you are getting FILTERED air (during inhalation) via the nose hairs, & therefore are exposed to less laryngeal irritation because of the nose hairs & the great filtering job that they do. Breathing by mouth has no “filtration system” & you are being exposed to laryngeal irritants & allergens directly. 

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Nasal breathing lightens the head by filling the sinuses with air, lubricating the sinus membranes, & lessening the chances of sinus infection. 

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Nasal breathing makes it easy to breathe LESS than when mouth breathing. Therefore you also breathe FEWER allergens which trigger less of a reaction. 

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Nasal breathing reduces swelling & congestion of the nose tissues & other airways (keeping the nasal passageways MORE OPEN, reducing “stuffiness”, & allowing for better feelings of airflow). 

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Nasal breathing helps support the pituitary gland & regulate sleep patterns… And SLEEP is so important (for the VOICE!) & in helping your body’s immune system fight off the impact of allergens &/or sinus infections. 

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Nasal breathing facilitates the production of nitric oxide, which is a bronchodilator (OPENS the airways).. which will certainly help you feel better related to the impact of allergens & sinus issues. 

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Nasal breathing activates the production of immunoglobulins to strengthen the immune system () 

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Nasal breathing also prevents the arrival of viruses via the mucus membrane which sterilizes the air that enters your body, creating a shield against disease. 

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There are very sensitive nerve endings at (nose) hair roots, which warn about unhealthy particles in the air. 

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Air through the nasal passageways is HUMIDIFIED (actually up to 1L MORE than mouth breathing!), creating a less irritating effect on the larynx. Mouth breathing = dry air, which can further irritate what allergies may have already irritated. Also, humidity supports the tiny microscopic hairs in the lungs which beat in unison to move sticky mucus & debris out of the lungs. Without total humidity the cilia don’t work, debris is trapped (this often creates more irritation &/or congestion & can force coughing which may result in phonotrauma to the VFs as well as further irritation).  

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Just a #tuesdaytossup for ya.. how bout prioritizing some consistent nasal breathing?!  

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#voxfit #voice #voicespecialist #voicesfittoinspire #speechpathologist #speechpathology #nasalbreathing #breathethroughyournose #buteykobreathing #allergies #sinus #chooseyourbestvoice #prioritizeyourvoice  

Hump Day Health: Tips for Instructing...

**Just a FEW #humpdayhealth TIPS for all my #fitpro and #fitnessinstructor fam out there!!**

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I absolutely LOVE going to classes when I’m not teaching, but when I do I am reminded of so many things I want to teach ALL instructors (about vocal health, vocal efficiency, and vocal dynamics— three of my major passions within VOXFIT—and applicable to ALL occupational and professional voice users!). I am grateful I get to talk with my VOXFIT Instagram fam and clients about a lot of these insights, but today just featuring a fewwwww:

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H E A L T H Y projection. It’s effective, it isn’t “bad” for you, and it’s NEVER from the throat. #upandout 

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Yelling is N O T necessary. Nor is it very effective. Or healthy. #projectdontyell #useamic #usevocalspice 

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The mic D O E S amplify you. So, if you are yelling, it will be amplified. And it will likely take away from the vibe, mission, and impact you are desiring to create. Trust the mic and it’s power… use it to H E L P you, not overpower people. The mic is your friend. Make sure it’s working, set up correctly, and calibrated appropriately with your music. 

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Use V O C A L  S P I C E (& effective timing).  It’s my term for ALLLLLLL those other wonderful ways you can make an IMPACT with your beautiful VOICE in a class other than by yelling, screaming, or being boring. This falls under the Vocal Dynamics aspect of coaching I provide to instructors, and is INCREDIBLY important… and can make or break a class. I use the term VOCAL SPICE for two reasons: (1) it makes things/your class/your instruction spicy (yesss), but also because (2) just like any spice, too MUCH or too LITTLE is not ideal and can ruin the whole culinary creation— hence, the importance of understanding the idea of using (vocal) S P I C E effectively. SO much to talk about on this one.

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Back to your regularly scheduled HumpDay… make it legendary my friends!! There is only ONE you for all eternity! 

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#voxfit #voice #yesyoucan #voicesfittoinspire #voicespecialist #speechpathologist #vocalhealth #vocalwellness #vocalfitness #bevocallyfit #vocalspice #belegendary #onlyoneyouforalleternity #voicecoaching #voicetherapy #chooseyourbestvoice #knowledgeispower 

PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE!  

It’s Prioritize Your Voice Friday… So 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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Shouldn’t PRIORITIZING your voice be high on your list?!
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.
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#voxfit #desiretoinspire #aspiretoinspire #changelives #radiateconfidence #vocalinstrument #voice #voicefitness #vocalfitness #voicesfittoinspire #vocalathlete #occupationalvoiceuser #speechpathology #voicespecialist #teacher #instructor #fitnessinstructor #singer #performer #emcee #gamehost #clergy #sales #coach #speechpathologist #voicetherapy #voicedisorders #prioritizeyourvoice