As silly as it may sound, it’s crucial to learn how to speak from your diaphragm. As humans, we are designed to speak from our diaphragms, even though that’s not the case in present times. So, what is the diagram, and how do you learn to speak from your diaphragm?
To speak from your diaphragm, you must continuously practice the correct breathing and voice relaxing techniques. Inhale deeply into your diaphragm, hold the air for some seconds, and exhale gradually, with your stomach rising and falling. When you get this breathing process right, you may now begin speaking as you exhale. With other tips, this process has several benefits.
Why should you learn how to speak from your diaphragm and how does this benefit your health? Keep reading to discover more fantastic health facts when using your diaphragm to its full potential.
The Benefits Of Speaking From Your Diaphragm
Before going into why you should practice speaking from your diaphragm, what’s a diaphragm anyway? When it comes to breathing and speaking, it’s impossible without the diaphragm. It is a little muscle in the shape of a dome located at the base of the lungs in-between them. When you breathe, your abdominal muscles move the diaphragm, which in turn moves to send air out of the lungs.
The potential or the diaphragm is usually ignored, and only voice trainers and those in such fields know it. In our regular programming, the diaphragm is the muscle we’re to use for speaking. Unfortunately, many people use their chest when speaking, creating a weak, crackly, or shallow voice.
Speaking from your diaphragm makes you sound bold and confident. Pulling your voice from your diaphragm connects you with them when speaking to an audience. It makes you sound unique and natural and makes it difficult for you to break or strain.
What You Should Know About Speaking From Your Diaphragm
Speaking from your diaphragm may also be known as ‘speaking from your stomach’. It’s in contrast to ‘speaking from your throat’, which is not the best for you. In common sense, we are all using our diaphragm to speak.
The diaphragm is the driving force that pushes air in and out of the lungs anytime we use our breath in speaking. However, some people put more effort into their throat to sound louder or better temporarily. Resultantly, they could have a scratchy or sore throat, and their voice would crack.
How To Speak From Your Diaphragm
Knowing how to speak from your diaphragm is easy if you’re not doing so already. If you want to figure out whether your chest is behind your speaking, try breathing as you regularly would. If your chest and shoulder rise and fall as you breathe, you are likely speaking from your chest.
You need the proper training breathing and voice relaxation practices to begin to speak from your diaphragm.
1. Practice The Right Breathing Techniques
The power of your speech lies in your breath. Hence, working on your breath first is the key to speaking from your diaphragm. Inhale deeply through the nose, down to your stomach, and watch as your stomach rises.
Don’t breathe out but remain still for three to four seconds. Afterward, exhale gradually through the mouth for four seconds as well. Repeat this process for about two minutes daily and gradually scale it up to five minutes daily.
2. Incorporate Your Breathing Technique Into Your Speaking
Now that your breathing reaches out to your diaphragm, the next step is to harness it and use it while speaking. You must have mastered this breathing technique until you find yourself naturally doing it. This way, you can easily speak from your diaphragm without much subglottal pressure.
When you draw a deep breath to your diaphragm, speak as you exhale gradually while your stomach flattens. When you’ve completely exhaled, inhale again and repeat the process. Try not to speak while inhaling but only as you exhale.
Conclusion
Now you know how to speak from your diaphragm with ease. Always go through the process, relaxing your body, mind, and voice. You can try yawning a few times before speaking or massaging your throat lightly with your fingers.
