There are four stages to each breathing cycle

  • Inhale - The In Breath
  • Top of the Breath
  • Exhale - The Out Breath
  • Bottom of the Breath

We will learn specific techniques to employ at each stage of your breathing cycle.

The Inhale

Air moves into your upper body in a continuous, smooth and easy flow. All points of the vocal core remain at rest while the lungs fill and the chest and back expand.

Top of the Breath

The end of the inhale is called the, “Top of the Breath”.  

It is not a set amount of air, but a location at the end of the inhale, before the exhale begins. 

The Exhale

The chest gently deflates as the air leaves the lungs. The vocal core contracts evenly with all points of the vocal core open and rested.

Do NOT BLOW outward. Simply allow the upper body to deflate like a balloon. 

Bottom of the Breath

The end of the exhale, is called the, “Bottom of the Breath”.

 It is a designation of a place in the breath cycle, and does not indicate a specific volume or capacity. 

You will learn specific skills that occur at the bottom of the breath. It's tempting to let the bottom of the breath move by without notice, but you must remain conscious and mindful at the end of your exhale in order to plan the volume of your inhale. 

Goal

  • Name each stage of the breathing cycle: Inhale, Top of the Breath, Exhale, Bottom of the Breath.
  • Remain mindful for the entire breathing cycle so that you are able to ‘track’ each degree of an in and out breath in the vocal core without letting your mind wander. 

  • Larynx remains passive. Breaths are silent. 

  • All points of the home position remain at rest. They move in response to the in and out flow of the breath cycle in the upper respiratory/chest, but there is no effort to push the air out nor draw breath in.
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