Posture is one of the most important aspects of vocal technique, as it affects your breathing, resonance, tone, and range. However, many singers struggle with maintaining a good posture, especially if they have bad habits, injuries, or stress. As a vocal coach, you can help your clients improve their posture for better singing by following these steps.
The first step is to observe and evaluate your client's posture, both when they are standing and sitting. You can use a mirror, a video camera, or a posture app to help them see how they align their head, neck, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and feet. Look for signs of tension, imbalance, or misalignment, such as slouching, hunching, tilting, leaning, or twisting. Ask your client how they feel in their posture, and what challenges they face in maintaining it.
I give very specific ways to assess their own posture and align it for speaking or singing--or to be in a more healthy position for life in general.
To improve posture, consistent daily attention and a regular practice to strengthen postural muscles, including spinal muscles, core abdominal and pelvic muscles . Walking, yoga, and targeted exercises work to make good posture easy. Singers also benefit from stretching to open up tightness in the chest and shoulders. In my experience, my posture took time (at least year) to improve after beginning a regular yoga practice (minimum of 3 sessions per week).
When you slouch, your voice lacks the necessary space to resonate within the body’s various cavities. On the other hand, adopting good posture for singing allows your voice to stretch, resulting in improved tone and projection.
The second step is to teach your client the basic principles of good posture for singing, and how to apply them in different situations. Explain that good posture is not rigid or stiff, but relaxed and flexible. It allows the singer to breathe deeply and freely, to open their throat and mouth, and to use their whole body as a resonator. Good posture also helps the singer to project their voice, to avoid vocal fatigue, and to express their emotions. Show your client how to align their body parts in a natural and comfortable way, using cues such as "tall spine", "wide shoulders", "level chin", "soft knees", and "grounded feet".
Think of good posture as your body interacting with gravity. There's propping (stiff posture), slumping, and yielding. When we yield from a place of balance and strength, we are able to breathe deeply into the diaphragm and our vitality will improve. When you feel good, your presence is brighter and your voice is clear and powerful.
The third step is to correct your client's posture whenever you notice any deviation from the ideal alignment. You can use verbal feedback, physical adjustments, or posture exercises to help them correct their posture. For example, you can ask them to imagine a string pulling their head up, or to place their hands on their lower ribs to feel their breath. You can also gently touch their shoulders, neck, or back to guide them to a better position, or to release any tension. You can also give them posture exercises to practice at home, such as stretching, yoga, pilates, or tai chi.
There are some cue phrases that will work to remind your client how posture should feel from inside. Find your own that sounds natural to you. I like "allow your spine to lengthen", "imagine your are being pulled by a string from the crown of your head". Also take the time before a lesson to bring your attention to your posture, breath, and relax the shoulders. This brings everyone present for a great lesson.
The fourth step is to reinforce your client's posture by incorporating it into their vocal exercises and repertoire. You can design exercises that challenge their posture, such as singing while moving, changing levels, or holding props. You can also choose songs that suit their posture, or that require them to adjust their posture for different styles, moods, or characters. You can also praise their posture when they sing well, or remind them of their posture when they sing poorly.
The fifth step is to monitor your client's posture over time, and to help them maintain it in different contexts. You can ask them to keep a posture journal, where they record their posture habits, challenges, and improvements. You can also review their posture videos or photos, and give them feedback and suggestions. You can also help them to adapt their posture to different environments, such as stage, studio, or home. You can also encourage them to seek professional help if they have any posture-related issues, such as pain, injury, or stress.
The sixth and final step is to celebrate your client's posture achievements, and to motivate them to keep improving. You can acknowledge their posture progress, and how it has improved their singing and their confidence. You can also share their posture success stories with other clients, or on social media. You can also reward their posture efforts, such as by giving them a certificate, a gift, or a discount. You can also challenge them to set new posture goals, or to try new posture techniques.