Posture and voice
A quick checklist for tension
Poor posture will often lead to tension in the muscles of the voice box (larynx) and can affect
vocal quality. Poor posture will increase the strain on your voice. The following checklist will
help you to become aware of any excessive tension, and can be used to relax muscles. We
need to check ourselves constantly, since bad habits can easily arise.
Relaxed posture
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sit upright with your back supported.
The backs of your thighs should be touching the seat, and not be raised above it.
Knees and ankle joints should be floppy.
Drop the shoulders and relax the neck.
Wrist and elbow joints should be floppy.
Head and neck
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gently shrug your shoulders up to your ears and drop, a couple of times.
Slowly rotate the shoulders forwards and back, a couple of times.
Push your chin into your chest then slowly lift your head and tilt it back.
Tilt the head from side to side as if to touch each shoulder, a couple of times.
Face
1. Keeping lips touching lightly, make sure teeth and jaw are apart and not clenched
together.
2. Make sure tongue is floppy in the bottom of the mouth, and not pressed against the top.
3. Check your eyes are not scrunched up, your eyebrows are not raised and you are not
frowning.
Relaxed breathing
1. Put your hand just above the waist - this is where you will feel your diaphragm muscle.
2. Breathe in and out slowly, feeling your hand move outwards as you breathe in, and
inwards as you breathe out.
3. Continue to breathe slowly and carefully for a few moments.
4. Check that your body and face remain relaxed - release any excessive tension.
If you have any queries, or require further information please contact the
Clinical Lead, Speech and Language Therapy ENT/Head & Neck on 01332 783182.
ENT/Head & Neck Outpatients Department, Kings Treatment Centre, RDH.
Reference Code: P1305/0851/08.2013/VERSION3
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permission in writing from the Patient Information Service, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. (G12775/08.2005/V2)