“Gen 2:7 – And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
I love this quote from Genesis, especially how the word “breath” is used. God breathed into man, and man became a living soul. There’s something so profound about that breath. It’s a divine life force, and it ties into how we understand the power of breathing, both in singing and in our spiritual lives.
The Breath of God and Our Unique Purpose
I believe in a divine creator. When God breathed life into us, it wasn’t just air—it was a breath full of gifts, talents, and a unique destiny. That divine breath, or “spirit,” gave us life and set a blueprint for the talents, gifts, and plans God has for each of us.
Everything begins with breath. The breath of God formed our spirit and made us alive with a soul and identity. It is fascinating to think about how breath, both spiritually and physically, connects with the very essence of who we are.
Breathing and Singing: The Foundation
In singing, one of the key foundations is breathing and breathing techniques. These techniques help singers develop control, phrasing, voice support, and better overall vocal performance. Yet, many students struggle with this. They come in with shallow, restricted breathing. I believe this is often because we live in a negative world where we close ourselves off. Other factors like pollution, pollen, and allergies also affect our breathing and vocal health.
Initially, a singing student may have what’s called a “wobbly voice,” which stems from improper breath support. But with correct breathing techniques and a deeper understanding of emotional release, this can be transformed.
The Diaphragm: The Powerhouse of Breath
The diaphragm, a muscle under the ribs, is the most important tool in voice support. It helps singers with vocal health, control, power techniques, and more. In many cases, singers have a lazy or inactive diaphragm. When singers begin to access their emotions, using techniques such as David Jaanz’s Emotion-Centered Singing approach, the diaphragm starts working more actively. Laughter and crying, for example, stimulate this muscle and get it moving. In many ways, emotional freedom and physical breath are deeply intertwined.
Breath and the First Cry
It’s fascinating that a baby’s first cry upon birth is what activates the diaphragm, allowing the child to breathe. That cry signifies life. Similarly, in singing, we must learn to “cry” or release our emotions to breathe fully and deeply.
Muscular manipulation isn’t the solution for activating the diaphragm. Nothing works better than a good laugh or cry! This is part of the journey toward inner healing and deeper restoration, which also helps ensure that a singer’s technique is solid, giving them confidence on stage.
The Power of Sound and Breath
Sound is created when the air we breathe vibrates against our vocal cords, then resonates through the chambers in our head and facial mask to create our unique vocal tone. This miraculous process brings us full circle to the divine nature of breath—the breath of God that gave us life and made us living souls.
As Lynn Jaanz and David Jaanz have shown through their years of vocal coaching, breathing techniques are vital for any singer’s success. This knowledge not only enhances a singer’s performance but also fosters emotional and spiritual healing.