Variance: Voice Creation

Voice is a creation. I know that definitely sounds a little woo-woo but bear with me.

The vocal folds have 4-5 survival functions (depending on how you count them) before we attain sound. Critical stuff, such as:

• They are the primary airway.
• They create a seal preventing anything but air getting to the lungs.
• They are a sphincter, allowing us to bear down for elimination, and childbirth.
• They allow us to regulate air pressure to lift or move heavy objects, this process creates the "grunt."
• They trigger and support cough to dislodge foreign bodies or fluids from the lungs.

You get the point.

The thyroarytenoids (or vocal folds) and other muscles of the larynx are pretty busy. But at some point, this organism had something so important to say, that grunt wasn't enough. We made the voice. In fact there are pretty reputable scientists who believe we sang before we spoke. As I said, an act of creation.

Creativity always thrives in creativity. So as we work from home, in differing levels of isolation, it is important we take time to be creative. To daydream, to make something (anything), to move, and to let the voice make sounds that don't have a purpose. That may be singing, or just letting your exhalation be audible. Whatever you choose, give yourself and your voice that spark of art.

GROW Voice is hosting a couple of events this week. An office hour on Friday at 12 pm on Zoom. Please email me to register.

Session 2 of our series of FB Live is this Thursday at 6 pm on the GROW Voice FB Page. These sessions will begin a process of checking in with physical alignment, breath, and coping withSedentary — the WFH edition.