Instructions

Now that the clients have had some practice at abdominal breathing in the standing position, the subsequent exercises can be carried out sitting.

Sitting position

Two sets of exercises are presented. Before carrying out the exercises, however, help the clients adopt an appropriate, well-supported but relaxed sitting position. To illustrate the appropriate relaxed posture, you can ask clients to push their feet backwards and under their chairs. In this position, ask them to consider how the muscles in the upper thighs are feeling. They should notice that they are stretched and, therefore, tense. In addition, ask them to consider their lower back and to note that it is most likely curved forwards such that it does not make a firm contact with the back of the chair. Now ask the clients to ‘unwind’ their legs and bring them forwards, with knees either touching or slightly apart, and with the feet flat on the floor. Again, ask them to consider the muscles of the thighs (these should now feel looser and relaxed) and to consider the curve of their lower back (which should now be more closely touching the back of the chair).

Encourage the clients to assume a mid-line position, with no slouching to one side or the other. Help them recognize that this is a relaxed sitting position and that this puts the least strain on any muscles. It allows the diaphragm to move unrestricted.

You can point out that, when at home, the following exercises can be carried out either in the standing or sitting position, or indeed lying down. If they do choose to lie down, then they should put a small rolled-up towel or similar behind the head to prevent the head falling too far backwards out of a midline position. They may also wish to bend their knees slightly, drawing them upwards towards the chest but with the feet flat on the floor: this has the effect of relieving any undue strain on the muscles of the abdomen and lower back.

Exercise 1

• This exercise encourages clients to experience holding the breath between the in and out breath.
• Remind clients that the focus is on relaxed breath control – the key words are relaxation and control.

Exercise 2

• This does not require clients to hold the breath but to let it out immediately following the in breath while producing various voiceless fricatives: /s/, /ʃ/, /θ/ and /f/.
• Help clients to identify the subtle differences in the amount of air that escapes depending on which speech sound is being produced.

Breathing Exercise 1

Remember:

• Use the breathing method outlined by your voice therapist.
• DO NOT FORCE out the breath when undertaking these exercises.
• As you breathe in, use the yawning technique to gently relax the back of your throat.

 1)

Breathe in gently for a count of 3

Hold for 2 counts

Breathe out gently for a count of 3                           do this 5 times

2)

Breathe in gently for a count of 3

Hold for 2 counts

Breathe out gently for a count of 4                           do this 5 times

3)

Breathe in gently for a count of 3

Hold for 2 counts

Breathe out gently for a count of 5                           do this 5 times

4)

Breathe in gently for a count of 3

Hold for 2 counts

Breathe out gently for a count of 6                           do this 5 times

5)

Breathe in gently for a count of 3

Hold for 2 counts

Breathe out gently for a count of 7                           do this 5 times

Breathing Exercise 2

Take in a gentle breath for a count of 3, then let it out on a sss sound without pushing for……

1)               3 counts

2)               4 counts

3)               5 counts

4)               6 counts

5)               7 counts

6)               8 counts

Try repeating this exercise, building up the length of time that you can gently let the air out on shh (as in show), thh (as in think) and fff (as in fish) sounds.

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