Voice and Hypnosis

Here's an interesting post from Wayne Perkin's blog. Similar to music and sound healing, hypnosis helps the participant reach a state of relaxation and clarity. There they can access higher modes of consciousness where self-healing can occur.

With hypnosis, the voice is used to put the participant into a deep, restful state.

Here's Mr. Perkin's brief history of hypnosis:

Back in ancient Egypt, hypnosis was called "healing sleep." The subject was really awake but with eyes closed and listening to a person's voice. Healing sleep was used to help people get over illnesses and mental anguish.

In the late 1700s, Fran Anton Mesmer, an Austrian, observed a Catholic Priest laying hands on a parishioner to overcome healing. Mesmer thought what was realy going on was that the person was surrounded by a magnetic field and that the Priest was sending out magnetism and that God was not really intervening in the process.

Mesmer thought that if he would use 2 large metal rods, he could create the same kind of magnetism that would help patients overcome their illnesses.

In 1792, Benjamin Franklin from the US, was called to Paris, France to observe Mesmer working on patients using the magnetized rods.

Franklin concluded that the people were using their own minds to cure themselves of illnesses. They were using their own imaginations.

This is what a hypnotist really does. He helps people use their own minds to fix what is wrong with them.

find more at: wayneperkins.blogspot.com

Music Therapy for Dogs!

I came across this blurb and thought it was indicative of the trend of upscale pet owners to go to expensive extremes when it comes to their dogs. I'll do just about anything for my doggies, but I'm really not sure that they care one way or another about spa treatments and other modalities mentioned in the excerpt below. Music therapy for pooches? Maybe.....

By Renee at smalldogsparadise.com

Bare in mind, many grooming salons these days don't operate the same way as those from the 80's or 90's. Then, groomers would just groom the dogs and the job is complete.

Nowadays many grooming salons offer spa treatments and rejuvenation and music therapy for pampered pooches.

These luxury sessions are not cheap. If you operate an upscale grooming salon in urban areas (i.e. Tokyo or New York), your customers are expected to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 for a complete doggie "makeover." I kid you not!

With so many dog owners who are willing to spend obscene money on their furry children, it's no wonder many aspiring groomers jump into this bandwagon. I'm not saying money brings all evil intentions; just some will value money over passion.

Jennifer Hudson calls American Idol Abusive

Did you know that Jennifer Hudson had been an American Idol contestant before her success in 'Dreamgirls'? She doesn't have very nice words for the American Idol experience, and I don't condone the cruelty that's employed on the show, but I would venture to say that Jennifer's current success may be a result of the exposure she got on AI??
Here's the article:

Jennifer Hudson Calls American Idol Abusive
PEOPLE MAGAZINE
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 01, 2007 08:35 AM EST


Jennifer Hudson has won Golden Globe and SAG awards and is up for an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls – despite what she describes as an abusive experience on American Idol.

"On American Idol, you go through this mental thing; you've got to get yourself back together. You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think," Hudson, 25, tells the new issue of Essence.

"You become a character - became the girl in the turkey wrapping." (On one episode, she wore an unflattering outfit that earned that label.) "I just knew I had to sing my way out of it. I don't believe in looking back, and I didn't look back."

Hudson also dismisses rumors that there was tension on the Dreamgirls set between herself and costar Beyoncé Knowles. "We clicked from day one," she says.

She says she, Knowles and their fellow Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose bonded over the fact that they're all Virgos, and all have a mole in the same spot on the left side of their necks.

"It's amazing to me that God took three different women from three different walks of life and created the Dreamgirls," Hudson says. "We were meant to be together. When you look at us, you see it's all connected. I'm loving Beyoncé."


Knowles has also dismissed feud rumors, telling reporters in December: "It's really unfortunate that everyone is saying I'm jealous of Jennifer. ... Because I'm a star they just automatically assume that I'm not humble enough to sit down and take a back seat, which I am."

Music Therapy for Young Asthmatics

Music and singing have so many intrinsic benefits! In my article "10 Ways Singing Can Change Your Life", I talk about how singing promotes deep breathing; oxygenates the blood; stimulates brain activity, and boosts a sense of well-being, among other incredible benefits. The article below by Dr. Jay Adlersberg is so exciting because it talks about helping young asthma sufferers with music therapy!

I've been working with clients with asthma for some time. Through singing therapy, (because it involves re-training the breathing mechanism, as well as becoming conscious of how you are breathing),the affect is dramatic!

If you have a question about how singing therapy can help with asthma, please feel free to contact me.

Here's the article:
Music Therapy For Young Asthma Sufferers
WABC By Dr. Jay Adlersberg

(New York-WABC, February 8, 2007) - Using music class to help treat asthmatics.

Asthma strikes children particularly hard in some areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn. Sometimes medications are the only things that keep kids happy in their daily activities. But now, thanks to financial gift from one of the Fathers of Jazz, music may be helping some young asthma sufferers.

It's an outreach program of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. Melrose is one of three schools in the city which are part of research to see if tension release using woodwind instruments to teach breathing control and relaxation, with the help of the seashore wave drum and Native American flute, can help in controlling asthma.

"It helps them identify when they having difficulties to use these breathing techniques," said Brian Harris, of Beth Israel Medical Center.

These four young men have been taking these classes once a week for the past six months to a year. Their asthma?

"It has improved, because before I couldn't breathe that good," student Alex Calo said. "But now I have more breath to hold when I'm running and stuff."

"Now I can play more, because I have more breath," 11-year-old student Alex Acosta said. "It's better."

"I could breathe more and it makes me relax," 13-year-old student Frank Maxwell said. "So I can play a lot more than I used to do."

And giving kids back their playtime is news in this city.

The Bronx is a hotbed of asthma. The illness causes more missed days from school and more hospitalizations than any other illness in kids under 14.

The music goes beyond just illness control. As with all music, it's about feelings.

"The music, the relaxation, the tension release and the drums," 13-year-old Carlos Vega said. "You could express your feelings when you're playing it."

Coincidentally, because of an aggressive band program at the school, each of these boys already plays a wind instrument. One plays flute, the others clarinet, trombone and saxophone. No problems learning breathing control for them.

Singing and 'The Yawn'

One of my 'Seven Principles for an Integrated Voice' is "The Yawn". If you feel a tightness in your throat when you sing, and feel you have to use a lot more effort to sing high notes, you're probably suffering from a common problem in singers, a raised, or jammed larynx.

In an article by Zainab Al Naji, he states that "when we yawn, yawns consist of an expansion of the chest, descent of the diaphragm and larynx, elevation of the nasal and soft palate, downward and backward movement of the tongue, abduction of the vocal cords, and a wide opening of the mouth."

In plain-speak, simulating the beginning of a yawn simply opens your throat, lowers the larynx, relaxes the tongue, drops the jaw; all of which help to produce a warm, round, open and relaxed tone without any constriction or tension.

It feels good to sing correctly, and this is the best indicator of whether you're employing proper technique or not. If you get hoarse; have an ache in the back of your throat; have to push to get volume; have a tight jaw, or just feel any discomfort at all when you sing - you're doing something wrong.

Conversely, if your voice flows out effortlessly with beauty and ease, with no tension or exertion; if singing is easy and feels good - you're singing correctly! A very easy barometer of your progress!

Watch for Volume One of my "Joyful Singing Series" coming soon! Contact me for more information!

Cold Weather Voice Tips - U of Pittsburgh

Here are some tips from the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center:

Upper respiratory infections (URI), rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis, often affect the vocal cords, causing hoarseness. The best way to prevent URIs from causing a voice problem is to avoid or limit the infections. Preventing URIs can be done by maintaining proper amounts of rest and eating a healthy diet. Good nutrition helps prevent infections and allows the body to fight infections for faster recovery.

URIs frequently are transmitted through young children, especially those in daycare, and by hand-to-hand contact. Thorough and frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with sick children can prevent many winter infections.

Cold weather clothing also can help prevent an infection and other voice problems. Maintaining proper body temperature takes a lot of energy, more if you are not dressed properly for the cold temperature. Seventy-five percent of body temperature loss occurs through the head, so a warm hat can decrease temperature loss and reduce the amount of energy required to keep you warm. This saved energy can be used to fight infection. A scarf is another important way to keep your voice healthy in the winter. Wearing a scarf helps maintain your body temperature, and it can also be used to warm the air you breathe, thus preventing cold air from irritating your larynx (voice box).

HAVE YOU TRIED MY VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE? IT BOOSTS RESISTANCE!

The Aging Voice

I've recently been asked about the affects of aging on the voice. As the population of Baby Boomers increases, there's more concern about changes that occur with the voice as we age.

The voice tells a lot about a person - their state of health, state of mind, and their relative age.

The aging voice is sometimes breathy, scratchy, weak, trembling or rough. As you read the article by Sue Ellen Linville, you'll notice that there's a lot of medical and anatomical jargon that may get a bit deep for you.

In a nutshell, just know that as we age, our parts wear out!!

And when the parts wear out, vocal challenges may set it. Ain't aging grand???

There are certain elements of our respiratory system as well as elements of the vocal mechanism that begin to show the wear and tear of age, and you can hear it in the voice.

BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS! Overall good health, a nutritious diet, low levels of stress, exercise and a good mental attitude will help you keep your voice in youthful, top-shape long into your senior years!

This is why exercising your voice is extremely important! In order to keep all the parts of your vocal mechanism working well, you've got to use them correctly and often. My uncle, Dick Palmer, is 81 years old, and just began singing a year ago! He loves it and it proves that a voice doesn't have to disintegrate with age.

Yes, there may be some changes in the voice, but with good vocal health habits, you can maintain your voice into old age.

If you want to keep your voice healthy and youthful, I suggest that you begin doing daily vocal and breathing exercises. This will help TREMENDOUSLY and you'll see a big difference in the tone, clarity and power of your voice.

If you have a question, or want to learn more about how to maintain your voice, please contact me. I will personally answer any question you may have.

Also, try my Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe for a healthy way to maintain your physical and vocal health! All natural and good for you!

Here are some exerpts from an article in the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Journal.

The Aging Voice

cite as:
Linville, S. E. (2004, Oct. 19). The Aging Voice. The ASHA Leader, pp. 12, 21

by Sue Ellen Linville

As the 21st century advances, senior citizens will make up an increasingly large segment of the population. In recognition of that demographic shift, researchers are developing a database of voice features that are characteristic of normal speakers from young adulthood through old age. Such a database would be invaluable to clinicians struggling to differentiate normal vocal changes with aging from pathologic vocal conditions affecting elderly patients.

Changes in Speech Production Mechanism

The respiratory system changes from young adulthood to old age. In lung tissue, loss of elasticity is considered the most significant change. Other respiratory system changes include stiffening of the thorax and weakening of respiratory muscles. These changes alter lung volumes and respiratory mechanics. While total lung volume remains unchanged in the elderly, vital capacity decreases and residual volume increases. Maximum expiratory flow rate is decreased and lung pressure is decreased. Thus, elderly speakers experience a decline in the amount of air they can move in and out of the lungs and in the efficiency with which they move air.

The larynx also undergoes age-related anatomic changes during adulthood. Glandular changes may cause drying of epithelium, which may increase stiffness of VC cover. Increased cover stiffness could increase instability of vocal fold vibration and raise fundamental frequency (F0) in elderly men.

Some investigators report progressive thickening of the epithelium with aging in both sexes. In males, thickening reportedly is progressive up to age 70, with declines thereafter. In females, thickening is described as progressive, particularly after age 70. Thickening of the laryngeal epithelium may contribute to lowering of fundamental frequency or to increased harshness of voice.

Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint are described, along with thinning/loss of elasticity of oral mucosa, declining salivary function, loss of tongue strength, and tooth loss.

Age-Related Voice Changes

Perhaps the voice change that has been investigated most is pitch level. Speaking changes from young adulthood to old age, but the pattern differs according to gender. In women, F0 remains fairly constant until menopause, when a drop occurs (approximately 10 Hz -15 Hz). This drop presumably results from hormonal changes that cause thickening and edema of the laryngeal mucosa. In men, F0 lowers approximately 10 Hz from young adulthood to middle age. The reason for this drop is unclear. After middle age, F0 in men rises substantially (approximately 35 Hz) into advanced old age, reaching the highest level of adulthood.

Tremor and increased hoarseness have been associated with the aged voice. Stability of F0 reportedly declines from young adulthood to old age in both men and women. In men, levels of fundamental frequency standard deviation (F0 SD) more than double between young adulthood and old age. In women, levels jump 71% over a similar period. F0 SD ranges for young and elderly speakers demonstrate little overlap, regardless of gender. In contrast, measures of jitter-the cycle-to-cycle fluctuations in the fundamental period of vocal fold vibration-overlap extensively in young and elderly speakers, especially women.

Amplitude stability also declines with aging, at least in men. Indeed, shimmer, which reflects cycle-to-cycle variation in waveform amplitude, may be a better measure than jitter of chronological aging in men's voices because shimmer levels increase independently of health and fitness variables. Age-related jitter differences disappear if health and fitness are considered.

Another voice quality linked with the aged voice is increased breathiness. While elderly men demonstrate a higher incidence of glottal gap than young men, spectral noise levels do not differ in the two groups. However, spectral noise levels increase in men in poor physiological condition, regardless of age. In contrast to men, both young and elderly women demonstrate a high incidence of glottal gap. However, young women tend to demonstrate posterior chink, while elderly women demonstrate gaps anteriorly in the glottis.

There is acoustic evidence of age-related changes in vocal resonance patterns in both men and women. Lowering of formant frequencies (more pronounced in women) suggests lengthening of the vocal tract. Altered vowel formant frequency patterns (more pronounced in men) suggests centralization of tongue position during vowel production. Altered resonance patterns in elderly speakers may result from growth of the craniofacial skeleton, lowering of the larynx in the neck and/or degenerative changes in oral structures that reduce articulatory precision.

In summary, structural and functional changes occur in the respiratory, phonatory, and supralaryngeal systems with aging. Those changes alter the voice produced by the aged mechanism. Gender differences exist both in the nature and extent of age-related changes.



Sue Ellen Linville is associate professor of speech pathology at Marquette University and the author of Vocal Aging (San Diego: Singular Publishing, 2001). She is an affiliate of Special Interest Division 3, Voice and Voice Disorders. She can be reached at sueellen.linville@marquette.edu.

Singing For Alzheimer Patients

Here's an exerpt from an article from Jane Elliot in the BBC News, about the power of singing therapy on Alzheimer's patients. Personally, I've been working with Parkinson's patients for several years now, and see dramatic results in their ability to speak more clearly and powerfully after singing therapy. Their sense of well-being and confidence increases as they are able to communicate more clearly. Their depression also lessens when they can be heard and understood with less effort or frustration. Singing seems to have the ability to bypass the speaking areas of the brain, making the ability to access lyrics and melodies more readily available to those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Singing has proven to unlock the brain and help patients re-learn communication skills.

Here's an exerpt from the article:

Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society and Professor of Age Related Diseases at King's College, London, said singing as an activity did seem to help people with dementia.

"People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people and there is a lot of evidence that being socially engaged is good for people with dementia."

He said the part of the brain that worked with speech was different to the part that processed music, allowing those who had lost their speech to still enjoy their music.

Mr Ballard said rhythm had also been shown to be beneficial, particularly for those with diseases like Parkinson's where movement was a problem. He said listening to rhythms, even just a metronome, could help.

Winter Colds - The Straight Dope

If you've never read "The Straight Dope" syndicated column, here's a sample. The information is always witty, intelligent, and sometimes irreverent; and always entertaining! And speaking of colds, have you tried my fantastic Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe? It works miracles!

Why is winter the season for colds, flu, etc.?

31-Jan-1992

Dear Cecil:

What is it with sickness and cold temperatures? Countless times I have heard it said that winter is "cold and flu season." Mom always said to put my hat and galoshes on or I would catch pneumonia or my death of a cold. But I'm no dope. I know disease is caused by germs, not cold. From what I can remember of high school biology (not much), germs don't like cold any more than we do--in fact it kills them. So how come people get sick more often in the winter? Or do they? --Ryan Joseph, Chicago

Dear Ryan:

Seems like a reasonable question, doesn't it? Too bad there isn't a reasonable answer. All the research of the past three decades has succeeded in doing is undermining the old wives' tales about wet feet causing colds and such without putting anything in their place. Here's what we know so far, and it ain't much:

The cold, wet feet, etc., don't make you more susceptible to the common cold. Several researchers, obviously graduates of the Joseph Mengele School of Medicine, had people sit in cold tubs and whatnot for extended periods to see if they'd catch more colds. By and large they didn't.

If anything, long stretches of cold temps mean you'll catch fewer colds, presumably because the germs die off. People who "winter over" at Antarctic research stations seldom get colds except when they host germ-laden visitors from warmer climes.

We don't have indisputable evidence that winter is "cold season." Most cold sufferers don't see a doctor, and no central record is kept of the colds that doctors do hear about.

Winter is flu season, but not always. The influenza pandemic of 1918-19, which killed at least 20 million people worldwide, reached peak virulence in the most of the world during the late spring and summer and topped out in the U.S. in October.

Still, most flu outbreaks peak in January or February. Why? Figure that out and you may be hearing from the Nobel committee. Cecil's mother's theory is that cold "lowers your resistance" to disease. Sounds plausible, but during major outbreaks the winter months typically bring an equally sharp upward spike in flu in all parts of the country. Sure, Chicago gets a little brisk in the winter. But L.A.?

Something besides the cold obviously is at work. Maybe it's that even in southern California during winter folks keep the windows closed and stay indoors more, giving them a chance to exchange more germs. If we want to get really creative we may note that if you want to catch the latest bug there's nothing like going to church, and the one time people are sure to go to church is Christmas. Hence (maybe) the January outbreaks. OK, I'm reaching. But nobody knows for sure.

Respiratory infections, setting aside colds and flu, seem to be more common in winter--but some think that's because of misdiagnosis. For example, what may appear to be sinusitis--runny nose, congestion, and so on--in fact may simply a result of "cold stress." Cold stress is a direct bodily response to cold (like shivering, say), not something caused by germs.

Cold stress symptoms can last several days but eventually go away by themselves; so do most respiratory infections. Since most doctors don't send out for tests, there's no telling what the real problem was. Cold stress is most pronounced when the weather changes suddenly, which is when many folks seem to get colds. Maybe they haven't got a cold, they just are cold, if you follow me.

Psychological (as opposed to physical) stress may also play a role. A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the more psychological stress people were under, the more likely they were to get colds. Cecil can personally attest that cold weather and sunless days can be tough on the psyche. So maybe in the interest of stress mitigation you should pop for a week in Puerto Vallarta--and while you're at it, tell that in-your-face boss of yours to take a running jump.

--CECIL ADAMS

American Idol Criteria - How Do You Rate?

Here's a funny article from Michael Slezak that pretty much sums up the American Idol audition experience. Whether you're a fan of the show or not, I think you'll agree with his candid assessment of the audition process. Which category would you fit in?



TV Watch - from EM online
Crazy in Alabama
In Birmingham, ''American Idol'' breaks all the rules: Paula plays tough, and pretty girls get eliminated; plus, a future star name-checks Hasselhoff

All About American Idol (Series)
By Michael Slezak

There are four standard scripts for American Idol's female auditions (non-joke variety), and they can be pretty much summed up like this:

1. Hot looks, hot voice: ''You're going to Hollywood, baby!''

2. Borderline looks, hot voice: ''Congratulations, we're putting you through to the next round.'' (Be thankful.)

3. Hot looks, borderline voice: ''I dunno, I mean, that was kinda all over the place, but, hmmm...there's something I like about you. You deserve a second chance. You're going to Hollywood, baby!''

4. Borderline looks, borderline voice: Sorry, hon, not even Paula's on your side.

If you don't fall under one of those headings, it's a pretty good bet the show's producers are tossing you into the dignity dumpster reserved for the homely, the obese, the deranged, and the deluded - none of whom can sing, none of whom are traditional beauties, and all of whom can be ridiculed for a few minutes of highly rated entertainment (guilt apparently not included).

Imagine my surprise tonight, then, when right from the opening audition of the Birmingham, Ala., episode, the joke was on a pretty, blond, 19-year-old ''biological science'' major with a tiny waist, an ample bosom, and a wonky singing voice. Pity poor Erica Skye - because Simon, Randy, and Paula did not. Girlfriend was playing the skimpy-top card and raised the stakes with come-hither grins and an eager-to-please demeanor, but after launching into a shaky, breaky rendition of Simon's favorite song, ''Unchained Melody,'' not even the flirty Brit had the urge to indulge; instead he described Erica's performance as ''never-ending torture.'' By the time she embarked on an unsolicited second number, even Saint Paula lost her patience, retreating stage left and looking desperately for something - maybe some earplugs, maybe a security guard, or quite possibly a Taser.

Any which way, Erica-s crash-burn set the tone for an unusual evening of Idol. There was Paula labeling handsome Bernard Williams II as ''completely off-key'' on his rendition of ''Rock With You,'' while Simon and Randy played good cops and gave him a not-quite-deserved golden ticket. Later in the show, Paula again took the lead on a critique, telling wide-eyed Jamie Lynn Ward - who wins this season's Kellie Pickler Trophy for most alarming audition-round sob story - that her voice went nasal when she went in for the heavy lifting on Christina Aguilera's ''Reflection.'' (That said, the kid did have a pretty tone, though it'd be a shocker if she made it past Hollywood.) And later, Nichole Gatzman, a comely teen whose rendition of Bonnie Raitt's ''Something to Talk About'' showcased a voice at least as good as Ward's, got an unceremonious heave-ho from Randy and Simon because...well, just because.

Meanwhile, Chris Sligh, the love child of Jack Osbourne and Sideshow Bob, got Randy howling with his joke about wanting to move David Hasselhoff to tears, then elicited what may have been Simon's most genuine smile of the season following an affecting take on Seal's ''Kiss From a Rose.'' Not only that, the kid's exit-interview comment that Paula ''crumbled in my chubby little hands'' was a refreshing break from the bland therapy-speak most Idol contestants spout into the microphones when they're not singing. Even if he wasn't blessed with that killer voice, Chris' personality makes him a reasonable top 12 bet.

I'm not convinced we saw any other potential finalists tonight. Tatiana McConnico made my day by choosing Aretha's awesomely awesome ''I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You),'' but despite a powerhouse voice, she sounded a little too rushed, and acted a little too naive to handle the massive wave of pressure headed her way. Katie Bernard's version of ''A House Is Not a Home,'' meanwhile, was perfectly acceptable, and I wouldn't have even had trouble with her high-pitched speaking voice - if she'd used it for good, not evil. In other words, it's cute when my four-year-old niece squeals and dances when she's on a sugar rush, but such behavior elicits far less charitable feelings coming from a married woman of 19.

And speaking of charity, when it comes to tonight's self-aware train wrecks (''look how crazy I can act'' bird lady Margaret Fowler and ''look how sassy I can act'' Brandy Patterson, who committed heinous crimes against ''Like a Virgin''), I'm following that homespun rule about not saying anything at all if you don't have anything nice to say. Well, actually, that's sort of a fib. It's not really about kindness; it's just that I set my kitchen timer when I started writing this column, and (hooray!) the ladies' respective 15 minutes are already up.

What do you think? Were you particularly impressed by any of the contestants who were shown getting golden tickets tonight? Were you impressed with Paula's performance? And, like me, are you ready to toss the audition shows in the box to the left and let the real competition start in Hollywood?
Posted Jan 31, 2007

World Sound Healing Day

WHEN: February 14, 2007, join the Sound Healers Association and thousands of people throughout the planet as they tone an"AH" together for five minutes during that day, projecting the energy of Light & Love throughout the Planet. You will actually experience generating a field of transformational energy as this occurs. We have found that creating a Global Sacred Sound any time within a 24 hour period on the planet will create a coherent waveform that will affect the entire Earth. Therefore, any time you feel guided to sound for Planetary Peace on February 14th is a good time! In addition, local toning groups will be occurring throughout the Earth at various times during that day with the intention of assisting planetary consciousness through sound. There will also be several global toning events occurring via the Internet during that day, including at noon Eastern Time on www.healthylife.net and at 9 PM ET on www.allonenow.org.

WHY: To project peace throughout the planet.

What better way to celebrate this joyous day of Valentine's Day then to project Peace to Mother Earth and generate peaceful energy throughout the planet with sound!

Sound coupled with intention has the ability to heal and transform. We will sound an "AH" sending a heart wave of Sound that will resonate throughout the planet. Now is the time for you to be part of the Celestial Choir and resonate together for World Sound Healing Day. We can create major positive shifts on our beloved planet. Through sounding together we will make a difference.

HOW: Sound the heart sound "AH" for 5 minutes. We will simply sound an "AH" filled with the intention of Peace and Love for 5 minutes at your local noon time. The "AH" is a universal, non-denominational heart sound that when projected with focused energy is extremely powerful and effective.


AND: Pass this message on. If it's appropriate, forward this announcement about this event to your mailing list.

Tell your friends and loved ones to join our Celestial Choir and help bring peace to the planet.

There will be sound healing events throughout the world. Previous World Sound Healing Days were extraordinarily successful. We truly made a difference to the planet with our Sound, our Light and Our Love.

Rock Star Camp!

Here's an article from The Independent about everyday folks living their passion for music! I've been advocating music camps for years. As noted in this article, they are usually a life-changing experience for those who attend. For more on the adult music camp experience see my article, "A Baby Boomer Goes To Camp". And if you'd like to come to camp with veteran, Pro musicians, check out what Viva La Voice has to offer!

Here's an exerpt from the article by Louise Jury:

Wannabe Rockers Join Stars At Music Camps
By Louise Jury, Arts Correspondent, The Independent
Published: 29 January 2007

It sounds like the ultimate present for a man in a mid-life crisis - the chance to take the stage with some of the gods of rock 'n' roll.

After running a summer camp for musical teenagers, Mike Hurst created the RockMasters weekend in a country house near Tiverton in response to pleas from their parents that he do something for them. "I had various parents saying, 'It's wasted on the kids. Why don't you do it for adults?" Hurst said.

The grown-ups get catering from Chris Barber, formerly chef to Prince Charles at Highgrove, and clay pigeon shooting in a package retailing at £750 a head.

The rougher end of rock'n'roll it ain't. But the list of those signing up - from lawyers and businessmen to mothers - suggests that regardless of education or career success, in the era of X Factor and Pop Idol, everyone secretly wants to be a rock 'n' roll star.

Hurst said: "They'll all get individual attention and they get to play in the house band. It may attract people like the well-to-do in the City in a mid-life crisis kind of thing, but I think all the people will have one thing in common - they just love trying to play music."

And part of the pleasure was seeing the campers - who in America have ranged from a 17-year-old drummer to the president of an airline - enjoying themselves.

"It was life-changing for some of them," David Firshof (who presented The Band and The Monkees) said. "And they improve tremendously from the moment they sign up. They're given a list of songs they should prepare and they get so excited they start to improve straight away. Their passion comes out."

Are You Speaking Correctly?

Norman D. Hogikyan, M.D., F.A.C.S., who heads the University of Michigan's Vocal Health Center says, "many people take their voices for granted, and don't seek help until a problem with their voice starts interfering with their life. For people whose careers revolve around speaking, such as teachers, salespeople, clergy and receptionists, untreated voice problems can greatly interfere with their work."

Are you speaking correctly? Vocal coaching isn't just for singers anymore. In fact, more and more professionals from all walks of life are realizing the importance of safeguarding their voices while boosting their level of success. For many 'everyday' people in the workforce, their voice IS their instrument, and if damaged or impaired, they can't work!

During these cold winter months, give your voice some extra TLC with my Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe. It sooths tired, sore throats and helps with the healing process. Find it here.
Be Healthy!

ASLHA Association Advice - Voice Strain

Here's some advice from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association:

"Pipe down, please! - voice strain prevention
Healthy & Natural Journal, Oct, 2000


Trying to carry on a conversation at a noisy ball game or amusement park may strain your voice. In an effort to prevent laryngitis and vocal cord damage, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association is offering the following advice:

* Avoid yelling. If you feel strain in your neck or throat, you're too loud.

* Avoid constant throat clearing and coughing.

* Don't try to talk over noise.

* Avoid irritation caused by smoking or drinking alcohol.

* Drink lots of clear liquids."

If you have a dry, winter throat, or have already strained your voice, you've got to try my VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE! It's fantastic. GET IT HERE

Voice Beautification

I've been advocating Voice Coaching for years. Anybody, from a salesperson, to a trainer, to a bank teller can benefit from developing a more pleasing voice. Whether you like it or not, others judge you by the volume, tone and quality of your voice. Here's an exerpt from an article by Jennifer Saranow in the Wall Street Journal that confirms the growing trend in Voice Beautification for the common man!

"Speech therapy used to be for stutterers, lispers and other people with medically diagnosed language problems. But in a culture increasingly devoted to personal trainers, self-help books and cosmetic surgery, a new outlet for self-betterment is emerging: the personal voice trainer.

People have been wincing when they hear themselves speak since the dawn of the recording. Common complaints run the familiar litany of too high-pitched, too monotone, too nasal, too much like the opposite sex. For women, they often include: too shrill, too "valley girl," or too faint. For men, familiar grievances are too gravely or too weak.

Voice experts say that many voice "problems" are caused by unbalanced talking, or using too much of one part of the voice. (The components of the voice include breathing, vocal chord vibration and the sound of the voice as it resonates out of the mouth, nose and throat.) For example, hypernasality results from letting sound resonate too much through the nose. A gravely or harsh tone comes from excessive tension in the throat area.

The voice "is very similar conceptually to a person’s knee," says Joseph Stemple, a speech pathologist at the Blame Block Institute for Vocal Analysis and Rehabilitation in Dayton, Ohio, and author of a well-known voice pathology textbook. "It can become strained and weakened and unbalanced and you can do direct exercise to enhance it."

The key behind most voice exercise programs is teaching patients to find their "true" sound when emphasis isn’t on one part of the voice over others. Patients learn to breathe from their stomach and let the voice carry more fully out of their mouth. They learn to feel whether they are exerting their mouth, nose or throat too much when talking. They use relaxing exercises to relieve tension that may be putting emphasis too much on one area.

Patients say that the end result is a better voice and more- effortless talking -- but getting there takes a lot of work. Learning to talk with a "true" voice can mean anything from figuring out how to hold your tongue while speaking to breathing differently -- movements that feel weird and unnatural at first. It takes extensive practice to turn such changes into habit.

"The results are largely dependent on the amount of energy that they are willing to put into their practice," says Kate DeVore, a speech pathologist from Chicago, who estimates that personal training of normal voices now accounts for about half of her practice."

If you want to change your voice, look for my 'JOYFUL SINGING SERIES" coming soon! Based on my SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR AN INTEGRATED VOICE, this series will give you the secrets of VOCAL MASTERY! Sign up for my monthly Voicegram to get updates on this fantastic product!

Singing Is Good For Seniors!

According to reports from the National Association of Music Merchants, picking up singing, or playing an instrument after dropping it earlier in life leads to such health benefits as an enhanced immune system, stress reduction and staving off depression and loneliness in older adults.

It's never too late to enjoy the benefits of music!

A Night at Fess Parker's

Thursday nights at Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos are special. Fess and his wife Marcie host an evening of music. Lots of their local celebrity friends drop in; Fess is the MC and also sings a bit, and Marcie usually ends the show with a few songs.

Most of us baby boomers will remember Fess Parker in the Disney series 'Davy Crockett'. I bet you can still sing the theme song, "Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!" Fess was smart, and after his acting days, he got into real estate and development. He now has a beautiful winery in the Santa Ynez Valley among other resort properties.

My uncle often sings on Thursday nights; oh, did I mention that my uncle is 81 and has a beautiful voice! Singing is his passion, and he usually doesn't miss the Wine Country Inn gathering. Fess asked me to sing a couple of songs, which was fun. It's a nice atmosphere in the lobby with a glowing fire, couches; you feel like you're entertaining in the Parker's living room.

If you go visiting the Santa Ynez Valley, don't miss all the spectacular wineries in that area. Stay at the Wine Country Inn, it's lovely, cozy and you can drop in and sing a few tunes! And don't forget to say hi to Fess for me!

Find out about the Wine Country Inn and the Fess Parker Winery

Recording with Norman Thalheimer

While in California I spent several days recording with my dear friend and collaborator, Norman Thalheimer. Norman and I wrote music and lyrics for "Marilyn, An American Fable", which ran on Broadway at the Minskoff Theater. It's funny how many people loved that show.

I recently performed at a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club with Nyle Steiner (inventor of the EVI), and Richard Souther (4 time Grammy nominee), here in Utah where I sang "I'll Send You Roses" from 'Marilyn'. A man in the audience had lived in NYC and saw the show, which is always gratifying. I guess you can think of your art as a seed carried on the wind. You never know who has been touched by what you do, and where that little seed may end up, hopefully making a difference in the world.

While in So. California Norman and I recorded 15 songs. Some of them were from "Marilyn, An American Fable", and others were tunes we'd written through the years, but never got around to recording. So I'm excited to get them finished and mixed, and make them available for those fans of the musical (there was never a Cast Album done of 'Marilyn').

We also recorded some of our wacky, quirky, theatrical stuff. If you like weird, silly, punky music, hear some sound samples of our stuff (the other side of Beth Lawrence!) by Freud's Funhouse at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/twohandsmouth

For those of you who have my lullaby CD, "Land of Sleepytime", this is definitely NOT music for toddlers or children! These are crazy stories about aliens, peeping toms and other assorted weirdnesses!

Jim O'Neil & Rubicon Theater

On my recent trip to L.A. I spent the day with Jim O'Neil, Artistic Director of Rubicon Theater in Ventura. Jim and I grew up together in Santa Barbara, were at Cal Arts at the same time, and were 'roomies' in our early professional days in L.A. So we had lots of history to dredge up, and bunches of laughs recalling some of our 'finer' moments.

Jim and his wife, Karyl Lynn Burns have been instrumental in creating a fantastic venue in Ventura, California that features some of the best talent around. They've also been wonderfully successful in generating loyal support from both sponsors and the public. With the Endowments for the Arts and governmental support for the Arts dwindling, building an enthusiastic subscriber base is crucial, and not always easy to do. Rubicon uses seasoned professionals for their shows who love the convenience of being just an hour's drive from L.A.
Here's what the Times said about Rubicon:

"Rubicon Theatre Company moves the local stage to a level so many for so long had hoped for... the best theatre around."
Los Angeles Times

The day I visited, Rubicon was premiering a new show 'Back Home Again - a John Denver Holiday Concert', so I stayed for the opening and after-show party. What a great group of supporters! This photo is Jim and I at the party. Note his 'gentleman cowboy' shirt; everyone was in the John Denver rustic look, except myself, donning a Utah snow coat! Hardly needed in warm California.

I wish Jim, Karyl Lynn and their staff continued success. Read more about Rubicon at: http://www.rubicontheater.org

The Incredible Thoracic Diaphragm!

I was so thrilled to see the vocal and breathing mechanism in 3D at 'Bodies The Exhibit' while in Las Vegas! The first principle for great singing in my 'Seven Principles for An Integrated Voice' booklet is all about BREATHING correctly for proper support while singing or speaking.

So I was really excited to see the diaphragm in all its glory, and was surprised to see that it wasn't just a thin strip of muscle, but a huge muscle shelf that separates the thoracic cavity ( lungs and heart) from the abdominopelvic cavity (liver, stomach, intestines, etc.). The diaphragm is King!!

I have always advocated maintaining a soft belly so that the diaphragm can drop down (in its relaxed state it's shaped like a dome), allowing more air into the lungs. To actually see this giant muscle makes it so clear to me that what I teach has complete credence! I tell my students to think of the diaphragm much like a trampoline or strong platform that supports the tone, giving it strength and volume. When you actually see that it physically mirrors this image, that it is a muscle shelf that is designed for SUPPORT, it's incredibly exciting and gratifying!

When you breathe, your diaphragm area should expand. This is a hard concept for lots of singers to get, but you need to physically allow the diaphragm to drop and expand. You never want to 'push' the diaphragm or abdominals out, this creates tension, and with The Integrated Voice method, you don't want tension, anywhere!

Now that I've seen it (in the flesh, so to speak), I fully understand, and better realize, how to enlighten my clients about how to envision their breathing mechanism. I'm reminded again, it's all about the diaphragm! Not a lowly strip of tissue that supports the lungs and heart, but the King of muscles that stretches and expands to give you the glorious feeling of security in supporting your tone.

So honor your incredible diaphragm! By using the breathing mechanism correctly, you'll discover the miracle of great vocal support that will allow you to trust your voice, giving you the strength and confidence to be a great singer and dynamic speaker.

All hail the mighty diaphragm!!

If you'd like to know more about my Integrated Voice Method, see my article "My Story" http://www.vivalavoice.com