The Timothy Dalton Chat Group Presents
The Actor's Breathing Exercises Page

 

Introduction To

The Actor's Breathing Exercises Page

Here is Jack with some Breathing Exercises for all you actor's to do, but print out this page so that you can refer to it as you practice your Breathing Exercises.

Breathing Exercises:

It's important to learn to control your breath and to learn to breathe properly. The body has a natural way to breathe and it's important that you find a way to relax and breathe properly.

First, observe when you are exhausted and physically tired and you breathe normally and naturally...you breathe from the depths of the body and you can see your stomach rise and fall with your breaths. This is the way the body appears when the diaphragm is being used naturally. This is the way a baby breathes and it's the way that is natural and normal. When we become stressed, we many times stifle our natural breathing and it affects our performance.

First exercise: Breathe in through your nose for the slow count of 4...now hold for the count of 7, and breathe out through your mouth for the count of 8. Repeat several times.

Second exercise: Breathe deeply into the bottom of the lungs(deep gasp)...now exhale slowly using the vowel uuuuuuuuu(ew) for the count of 8. Repeat with the vowel aaaaaaaah. Now repeat with the vowel oooo(oh). Now repeat with the vowel eeeeeeeee.

Repeat the above exercise using the lowest register of your voice that you can comfortably use...(low pitch)

Now repeat using the a comfortably high register for your voice(pitch) Now try the above jogging in place until you can create a steady column of air while jogging in place. It takes practice but if you do it every day, you should be able to accomplish a strong column of air being pushed by a strong and controlled diaphragm.

Try these breathing exercises first thing in the morning, at noon, and after working out or exercising vigorously. You can make progress by observing how your body best performs.

If you feel you need additional breathing exercises, consult with a voice teacher who can work with you to provide specific guidance for your particular needs.

Now get busy!

All the best,

Jack

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