When was the last time you took a few moments to really listen
to yourself?
How can one learn to listen to oneself? What does it actually
mean to listen?
First, find a quiet place where you won't be distracted
by other people. Turn off the radio, stereo, television,
or any other source of external noise.
Think of the last time you called to someone some distance
away. Your voice would have naturally taken on a certain
cadence, a certain sing-song quality, usually two notes,
the first higher than the second. (sol-mi or G-E for those
with access to a pitched instrument).
Keep that calling sound in mind, and begin to gently call
your own name.
Try to use an entire exhalation to call your name each time;
stretching out your vowels as much as possible. Explore this
a few times, sometimes a bit quieter, sometimes a bit louder,
but never so loud as to bother your ears.
The next time you call your name, using the gentlest touch
possible, place your fingertips on the front of your neck.
Get a sense of where the vibration of your voice begins.
Continue calling your name as you explore this.
Using the same gentle touch, bring your fingertips to your
face. As you continue calling yourself try to discover where
else the vibration of your voice can be found. Around your
mouth? Near your ears? Around your nose? Behind your ears?
It is neither "right" or "wrong" to sense
vibration in any of these areas. These are only suggestions
to guide you.
Now, place a finger INSIDE each ear canal. Once again, begin
to call your own name. How does it sound different from calling
with "unplugged" ears? How is it the same? Can
you feel your voice vibrating in any particular places in
your head or face? Still using a complete exhalation to each
call continue to explore this.
For the next piece of this exercise, still with your fingers
in your ears, you'll simply close your mouth while calling
yourself. What this means is that you'll be now humming your
name. Use full exhalations and play with the volume a little
bit. Try several hums.
Has your awareness of where your voice vibrates changed?
Can you sense how the bones of your skull are involved in
this vibration? Are you hearing your voice differently? Are
you feeling your voice differently?
Now, take your fingers out of your ears, sit up straight
and call yourself one last time, with your regular voice.
How does your voice seem to you now?
This exercise is not on my Cd. It is, however, often one
of the very first explorations I do in group classes. The
pace and focus of it are very much like most of the exercises
and movements I teach.
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