PAJAMA MOVES – it’s the small moves that can make the biggest difference.

EXERCISE! Thoughts of pain, time, and hassle? It doesn’t have to be that way.

Change the thought of EXERCISE to MOVEMENT and feel good just about all the time.

You don’t need to move your body fast and work hard in order to experience great benefits. You do not have to go to the gym or to a class. You do not have to buy cute work-out clothes.

A healthy body is a healthy voice ~ Keeping your strength, endurance and range of mobility helps not only the body but also the voice – benefiting the respiratory, laryngeal, and vocal tract coordinators.

Every function of every organ and system in your body is enhanced by body movement. When they are activated, your:
1. Respiratory and circulatory systems deliver more oxygen and glucose to the muscles that enable more cognitive sharpness.
2. Metabolism increases.
3. Glands of the immune systems are better supported and protected(1).

The most important thing is to be consistent and use appropriate movements. This does not have to involve heavy weight lifting, aerobic classes, or even a personal trainer.

3 PAJAMA APPS – STAY IN YOUR JAMMIES AND STAY AT HOME

Down Dog Yoga App

Down Dog: My absolute favorite app in the world. It is rated the top yoga app in the app store.
Best feature: User friendly
Important features: FREE at least until May 1. If you are an educator, it’s free until July 1: downdogapp.com/schools If you are a healthcare worker, it’s also free until July 1: downdogapp.com/healthcare

Sworkit App

Sworkit: Quick workouts, varying levels. Free trial, but then you have to pay to play.
Best feature: Designs 6 week plan for you based on age, gender, weight and skill.

Tai Chi: Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and health benefits. The term taiji refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang. Free, but
Best feature: Lovely traditional Chinese music in background.
Great features:

Worth checking out online:

Babette Lightner

THE LIGHTNER METHOD:

  • Ease common chronic physical pain such as knee, back and shoulder pain.
  • Shift frustration, anxiety or worry to clarity and calm.
  • Transform effort, strain in moving to light, lively mobility.
  • Experience
  •  Experiencing your current capabilities rather than always try to improve/change.

THE ANCIENT ART OF MINDLESS WALKING:

Walking.Mindless.

THE TAKE AWAY
You don’t need to carve out an hour a day or even a few days a week. You can do small twelve minute sessions of any movement to receive great benefit. Those twelve minutes make a vast difference in stamina, outlook and focus.

I hope you’ll give it a try!

Footnotes:
1). Thurman, L. & Welch, G. (2000). bodymind & voice: foundations of voice education. The VoiceCare Network, USA, Book 3, 639-640.

Images: https://www.google.com/search?q=pajama+moves&newwindow=1&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS761US762&sxsrf=ALeKk00MxY3tpm_d0lXTSEXrsGJYUrp1aw:1587563043471&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_ro6alfzoAhUCna0KHbPWDDEQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA&biw=1422&bih=624#imgrc=_pwpT1HKrtcpzM

Prioritizing your goals when working with novice or mature Chinese singers in a choral setting

Lynn Swanson working with members of the Zhuhai Classical Children’s Choir,
Zhuhai, China

Understanding the Use of Articulators and Resonators in a Choral Setting specifically for those working with Chinese choirs ~

This presentation and accompanying video is made specifically to help those that are working with novice Chinese choristers learning to sing classical music. It is designed to help Chinese singers whether they are mature or young.

During the time I led choirs in China, I learned that the native Chinese speaker used their articulators differently from the native English speakers. It is critically important to understand what articulators are and how they are used before any singer can begin to expand the vocal range as well as achieve good intonation. Good intonation is especially critical in a choral setting and is often neglected. I found that the primary focus for many Chinese choirs was expression. The first concentration should actually be on securing accurate pitches and exact rhythm. Then attention can be given to expression and how to bring the lyrics to life. 

•It’s important to understand the differences in how to use articulators and resonators when singing different languages.

•Requirements for the use of articulators in the Chinese language is different from that requirement while singing Classical music.

• Before you can make a beautiful sound, you must learn how articulators bring energy to the resonator. •

•You must learn how to use articulators and how to use resonators according to the music you are singing.