Neurofascial Approach to Diaphragm, Breath, & Vocal Column

Breath and Voice. Two words poised between noun and verb. Both central to the daily life of humans. To work with these in your practice requires oscillating between treating the nouns and verbs of the vocal column.

It is useful to understand the architecture of the human diaphragm, especially its attachment to the pericardium above (Think: ‘heart with a hoop skirt’). This muscular dome has as much versatility as the human face--if you think it does only one thing, you'll miss its messages.

Likewise with the larynx. See how it suspends itself in the hyoid muscles like a monkey in the vines. Then see it in action--how the vocal folds can be like skydivers, resting on an uprush of air.

If you can contact the diaphragm with sensitivity and clear intent, you have a chance to improve breath restriction, vocalization, spinal posture, and core movement patterns in many clients. In…