Practice 3/22/16

Had a little bit of reflux this morning, but by the time I got to the practice room, I couldn't really feel the effects. My voice feels a little tight from the get-go today.

• panting exercises to loosen things up. 
• exaggerate yawning space to become familiar with open space. 
• "Like this" mentality. Focus on the good stuff. 
• Feeling like there's a long elastic in the back of the pharynx that stretch both up and down helps. 
• Make sure the stretch is equal in both directions. Not over-balanced in one direction. 
• Everything is mental! Release in the body, but active in the brain. 
• Nasal exercises. 
• Listen to Lesson 2/5/16
• "ooo ahhh" 8-7654321 
• pay attention to A-O joint release
• Don't worry about how the voice is going to come together. Just let the folds do their thing. 
• Try to let the voice spin on its own once you've started the sound. 
• internal smile?

After about 20 minutes, I still feel pretty tight; getting that "horizontal squeeze" feeling again, as well as the larynx liking to jump all over the place. I just need to figure out some way to release the back of my tongue again.... 

I tried plugging my ears, and that helps a lot. Released much better, and that squeeze went away. Perhaps I'm trying too hard to create a sound, rather than just focusing on sensation. Good to know.